USMCA Webinars

The New NAFTA, known as USMCA (U.S.), CUSMA (Canada), and T-MEC (Mexico), entered into force on July 1, 2020. As the world focuses on business resumption and recovery in the wake of COVID-19, preparing for the new agreement will be critical for companies relying on North American supply and value chains.

Dickinson Wright has been a leader during the USMCA implementation phase working with the Uniform Regulations and policies, leading training series including Dickinson Wright’s multi-part Preparing for USMCA Day webinar series, and serving as key contacts for companies, industry associations, and the public.

Episode I – Preparing for USMCA Day! 

This first episode in our USMCA webinar series targets strategies for companies that are undertaking these preparations including:

• Understanding the implementation timelines in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
• Reviewing the Uniform Regulations process and changes to your company's operations
• Undertaking a 360-degree USMCA internal assessment to see if your company is prepared
• Examining the new rules relating to customs clearance and border issues, including the elimination of the NAFTA Certificates of Origin
• Assessing the changes to Mexico's labor regime
• Reviewing how USMCA intersects with other trade deals, current status of tariffs, and changes in U.S. Customs and Border Protection rulings relating to North American trade.

Episode I speakers are: 

• Andrea Van Vugt, Global Director at Harper & Associates;
• Sergio Gomez Lora, CEO of IQOM Strategic Advisors and CEO of the U.S. Office, Business Coordinating Council of Mexico; and 
• Daniel Ujczo, Of Counsel and Practice Group Chair for Dickinson Wright's International & Regional Practices. 

Episode II – USMCA Customs Compliance and Automotive Rules of Origin

This episode will address the "nuts and bolts" of customs compliance for all companies navigating USMCA and engage in a "deep dive" on the new automotive rules of origin (ROO). The Episode will include a general review of key issues for determining and certifying origin under the Agreement, valuation, and specific examples from sectors such as automotive, chemicals, energy, textiles and technology. The session also will include an update on North American supply chain issues during COVID-19.

Our Speakers include:

• Adam Hill, President, and COO, Scarbrough International
• Tiffany Melvin, President, North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO)
• Eric Miller, President, Rideau Potomac
• Bruce Thelen, Member, Dickinson Wright, Dickinson Wright
• Moises Zavaleta, Mexico's from. USMCA Negotiator for Rules of Origin
• Sergio Gomez Lora, CEO of IQOM Strategic Advisors and CEO of the U.S. Office, Business Coordinating Council of Mexico 
• Dan Ujczo, Practice Group Chair, Canada-U.S., Dickinson Wright                

Episode III – Managing Your Products and People Across the USMCA Borders

This episode examines the USMCA Chapters regarding Customs and Trade Facilitation Chapter (Border Management), Temporary Entry (Immigration), Labor and Dispute Settlement to address "at the border issues" for goods and services. Specific emphasis is placed on the current conditions at North American land and airports of entry and the future direction of border management, security, and facilitation. 

Speakers include:

• Joseph Comartin, General Consul of Canada in Detroit
• Hon. Pete Saenz, Mayor, City of Laredo, Texas
• Dr. Bill Anderson, Ontario Research Chair in Cross-Border Transportation Policy, Cross-Border Institute, University of Windsor
• Kathleen Campbell Walker, Member and Immigration Practice Group Chair, Dickinson Wright PLLC
• Suzanne Sukkar, Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC
• Laurie Tannous, Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, Farrow
• Daniel Ujczo, Practice Group Chair, Canada-U.S., Dickinson Wright PLLC    

Episode IV – Digital, Intellectual Property and Technology Considerations under USMCA

This episode examines the Digital and Intellectual Property Chapters in USMCA, changes to domestic legislation in areas such as IP and technology regulation, nearshoring opportunities, and the USMCA's potential to promote innovation in North America. 

Our Speakers include:

• Jeff Musson, Executive Director, North of 41 Tech Association
• Evangelos Razis, Senior Manager at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation
• Yuri Chumak, Partner, Dickinson Wright LLP
• Dan Ujczo, Practice Group Chair, Canada-U.S., Dickinson Wright PLLC        

Episode V – Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Competition, and Regulatory Alignment

This Episode examines several forward-looking areas of USMCA that will potentially provide great benefits to companies including the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise and Competition Chapters and "behind the border" developments in regulatory alignment. 

Our Speakers include:

• Mark Fisher, CEO, Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR)
• Brian Kingston, Vice President, International, and Fiscal Issues - Business Council of Canada (BCC)
• Mark High, Member, Dickinson Wright PLLC and President of the Canada-U.S. Business Association (CUSBA)
• Wendy Hulton, Partner, Dickinson Wright LLP
• Dan Ujczo, Practice Group Chair, Canada-U.S., Dickinson Wright PLLC        

Episode VI – Environmental Considerations and the Path Forward to a “Living” USMCA

This final episode in our series provides a detailed review of the Environmental Chapter and implications for North America. The innovative nature of the Chapter will lead to a discussion of the various inter-agency committees, sectoral working groups, and the 6-year review process to determine "What's Next" for USMCA. 

Our Speakers Include:

• Daniel Ujczo, Practice Group Chair, International and Regional Practices, Dickinson Wright PLLC
• Anna Maiuri, Practice Group Co-Chair, Environmental, Energy & Sustainability, Dickinson Wright PLLC
• Andrea Durkin, Principal of Sparkplug, LLC,  and Editor-in-Chief of TradeVistas
• Christopher Sands, Director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and a Senior Research Professor at Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
• Gerald Schwebel, Executive Vice President, Corporate International Division, International Bank of Commerce 
• Matthew Rooney, Managing Director, George W. Bush Institute - SMU Economic Growth Initiative, George W. Bush Presidential Center

Understanding the New Uniform Regulations & Automotive Rules of Origin

The New NAFTA, known as USMCA (in U.S.), CUSMA (in Canada) and T-MEC (in Mexico), will enter into force on July 1, 2020 (or later). The three governments have just issued Uniform Regulations that attempt to address key issues for the automotive industry.

This invitation-only episode will address the new automotive rules and origin with key participants from the negotiations.  Attendees will have the opportunity to present specific questions in advance and during the interactive webinar. 

Speakers include: 

• Moises Zavaleta, Mexico’s fmr. USMCA Negotiator for Rules of Origin
• Sergio Gomez Lora, CEO of IQOM Strategic Advisors and CEO of the Business Council of Mexico, U.S. Office
• Daniel Ujczo, Of Counsel and Practice Group Chair for Dickinson Wright's International & Regional Practices.