The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has urged the U.S. government to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), emphasizing its strategic importance in countering China’s economic influence. At the same time, the think tank called for stricter enforcement of Mexico’s commitments under the agreement.
As part of the USMCA’s scheduled review, the ITIF submitted its comments to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), noting that the agreement benefits U.S. manufacturers by allowing duty-free access to inputs from Mexico and Canada, effectively lowering production costs.
The foundation also pointed out that the USMCA encourages manufacturers to relocate operations to North America, thereby reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains and strengthening the region’s industrial base. By leveraging each country’s strengths—such as lower production costs in Mexico and U.S. industrial inputs—the pact enhances the overall competitiveness of the region.
The ITIF stressed that “the United States will be in a stronger position to compete globally if the USMCA operates as a unified economic bloc.”
However, the organization also raised concerns regarding Mexico’s and Canada’s performance on intellectual property protection. Both countries appear on the USTR’s 2025 “Special 301 Report,” which reviews intellectual property enforcement practices worldwide. Mexico remains on the Priority Watch List due to actions and policies considered harmful to U.S. commercial interests.
Additionally, the report underscores Mexico’s failure to fulfill its USMCA obligation to provide patent term extensions for undue delays in approval processes—an issue the ITIF urged U.S. authorities to address.
Source: El Diario MX
