The U.S. opens public consultations for the USMCA review in November.

In the realm of international trade relations, every move counts. And today, the United States has just made a decisive one: it published in the Federal Register the decree opening public consultations on the USMCA .

This process is not just a bureaucratic formality, but a historic opportunity for citizen, business, and academic voices to influence the direction of the treaty uniting Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is the cornerstone of more than $1 trillion in annual trade in the region. Reviewing it doesn't mean weakening it, but rather identifying improvements in competitiveness, compliance, and economic security.

According to the decree, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) seeks comments on issues such as:

• The operation of the North American Competitiveness Committee .
• Strategies to boost technological leadership.
• Proposals that strengthen investment and productivity.
• Mechanisms to maintain trade flows in emergencies.

History already has a marked calendar:

• November 3 : Deadline for submitting written comments.
• November 17 : public hearing in Washington.
• Seven days later: deadline for rebuttals and additional comments.

This process will determine the points of discussion before the joint review between the three countries , planned for the coming months.

Imagine a small avocado exporter from Michoacán. Their voice, along with that of large technology corporations and business associations, can influence the narrative of North America's commercial future. The public consultation opens the door for everyone, from farmers to automotive industry leaders.

The Competitiveness Committee has prioritized job training and cooperation in crisis situations, such as the pandemic. Now, the challenge will be to move toward a more robust economic environment , capable of addressing challenges such as digitalization, resilient supply chains, and energy security.

The USMCA is more than a trade agreement: it's a political and strategic pact that defines the region's position vis-à-vis powers like China and the European Union. Its revision will allow for adjustments to maintain North America's competitive and attractive position as a bloc for investment.

For Mexico, these public consultations represent an opportunity to defend key interests, from agribusiness to advanced manufacturing. They are also a time to demonstrate that regional integration is the path to economic stability.