The USMCA, and Beyond the Negotiating Table

Welcome to The View from North America — my quick-take on the macro policy, data, and regional dynamics shaping the cross-border corridor. If you watched the headlines out of Mexico City this past week, you know the gears of North American trade are spinning. Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard and the U.S. Trade Representative’s team are actively…

Tough straits: Americans and the world respond.

The spring of 2026 arrived and brought with it a sobering reality: the US administration’s “doctrine of coercion” is bumping up against both the law and public sentiment. President Trump’s use of blunt-force tariffs and a superior military have reshaped certain theaters. However, the US Supreme Court has limited the executive’s use of IEEPA for…

Geopolitical shift, a North American shield.

2026 blew in at a dizzying pace, headlined by the “tale of two speeches” at Davos which underscored a profound reordering of global alliances and confirmation that we can no longer rely on the predictability of the past.  This February marks 4 full years since Vladimir Putin first invaded Ukraine. While Russia held its ground in 2025, Moscow did not make any…

More turbulence ahead, keep seatbelts buckled.

The first month of the new year is nearly behind us, and everything suggests there is plenty of turbulence ahead, so keep those seatbelts buckled.  The Eurasia Group has made clear that 2024 will be the year of (at least) three simultaneous conflicts: Ukraine vs. Russia; Israel vs. Palestine; and the United States vs. itself. Against that…

SMU 2023 Commencement

On Saturday December 16, I was honored to offer the 2023 commencement address at Southern Methodist University. The date also marked 40 years since my own graduation from the SMU School of Law.  You can watch my speech shortly after the 42:30 mark, here.

Radical uncertainty, the New norm.

As we close out 2023 I want to begin this last note of the year by thanking my friends, clients, associates and readers for their support these past twelve months. It’s been quite the year, and here at White & Case in Mexico City we’ve worked hard to stay abreast of the issues and maintain…

World on Edge: Calling all Statesmen.

Last night, president Biden appealed to the nation, and the world, for $100 billion in funding as a show of continued support for both Israel and Ukraine. This address comes almost two weeks after Hamas launched a brutal attack against Israel with Israel subsequently launching a counter-attack against Hamas in Gaza. As the conflict continues, so too, does a mounting…

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