NAFTA, USMCA and Now... USMCA 2.0? What's Coming for Foreign Trade in North America

From NAFTA to USMCA: a story that reinvents itself

For almost three decades, theNAFTA(North American Free Trade Agreement) defined the economic course of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It was the agreement that boosted the integration of regional production chains and made Mexico one of the world's leading exporters.

But in 2020, theUSMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement)came into effect with new rules. It incorporated previously unthinkable topics, such as digital commerce, environmental protection, labor rights, and product traceability. It was a step towards the modernization of North American foreign trade.

However, barely five years later, the scenario is changing again:the USMCA enters its first major review, as provided for by the treaty itself. Experts already informally call it“USMCA 2.0”, a version adjusted to current geopolitical tensions and the rise ofnearshoringin Mexico.

The USMCA review: the beginning of a new stage

According toInfobae, the 2025 review aims to assess compliance with the agreement and decide whether to renew or modify it. But in practice, governments will take the opportunity to renegotiate sensitive aspects: regional content, energy policy, environmental standards, and new rules for the digital economy.

The United States seeks to strengthen its position against China and protect its automotive industry, while Canada is pushing for greater openness in clean energy. Mexico, for its part, wants to take advantage of the situation to consolidate itself as amanufacturing and logistics hub of the bloc.

According toThe Logistics World, one of the most sensitive points will be thereview of the rules of origin, which could raise the percentages of minimum regional content in key sectors such as automotive, electronics, and textiles. This would force thousands of companies toreconfigure their supply chains, favoring production within North America.

Political pressures and risks on the horizon

To all this is added an unavoidable political factor: the elections in the United States. Some Republican sectors, including former President Donald Trump, have already declared their intention to“renegotiate” or even “break” the treaty, according toEl País.

The risk is that a hasty or unilateral review generates uncertainty among investors and exporting companies. Mexican industries with a strong dependence on imported inputs —for example, auto parts, steel, or electronics— could facehigher costs and logistical delaysif the rules are tightened.

Even so, the review not only implies risks. It can also be agreat opportunity to strengthen Mexico's positionwithin the bloc and attract new investments. If an environment with clear rules, stability, and a focus on sustainability is consolidated, the country could attract even more companies seeking to relocate their production under thenearshoringscheme.

The future of the USMCA: more sustainable, more digital, and more demanding

Global trends mark the course of this possible version 2.0.
According toVinculum, the new USMCA could focus on five major axes:

• Sustainability and energy transition, promoting clean production and stricter ESG regulations.
• Digital economy and cross-border data, strengthening cybersecurity and information protection.
• More closely monitored labor rights, through the Rapid Response Mechanism.
• Traceability and origin, to avoid triangulation of products from Asia.
• Greater logistical cooperation, to optimize crossing times and customs efficiency.

These adjustments reflect a modern vision of trade, where it is not enough to move goods: it must be done with environmental responsibility, transparency, andresilience in the supply chain.

How Mexican companies should prepare

In this context, companies that export or import within the bloc must start today toevaluate their level of compliance with the current USMCA.
It is key to review:

• That the products comply with the current rules of origin.
• That labor contracts and certifications are up to date.
• That logistical operations guarantee traceability and document security.
• That technological systems (ERP, WMS, or tracking platforms) are compatible with international standards.

Theanticipationwill be key. Companies that adapt before the rules change will have a huge competitive advantage.

The role of Control Terrestre in the face of USMCA 2.0

In this changing environment,Control Terrestre (CT)is positioned as astrategic freight intermediaryfor companies seeking to adapt quickly and efficiently.

CT promotesflexible, traceable, and sustainable supply chains, capable of adjusting to the new standards of North American foreign trade. Its focus is on anticipating changes, optimizing routes, reducing transit times, and offering logistics solutions adapted to the USMCA framework.

By betting on technological innovation, regulatory compliance, and a culture of constant adaptation, CT demonstrates thatMexican logistics can be the engine of the new USMCA 2.0, connecting industries, regions, and markets under a smarter and more sustainable model.

A new chapter for North America

The review of the treaty should not be seen with fear, but as an opportunity to raise the level of regional trade.
The future of theUSMCA 2.0will not only define the economic relations between Mexico, the United States, and Canada: it will mark how production, energy, technology, and logistics move throughout the region during the next decade.

And while governments negotiate the terms, companies with vision —likeControl Terrestre— are already taking the next step:building stronger, more transparent supply chains aligned with the future of North American foreign trade.

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