The renegotiated agreement contains a chapter on macroeconomic policies and exchange rate issues, with new political and transparent monetary commitments. The chapter will address unfair monetary practices by requiring high-level commitments to avoid any devaluation of competition and to target exchange rates, while significantly increasing transparency and providing accountability mechanisms. This approach is unprecedented in the framework of a trade agreement and will contribute to strengthening macroeconomic stability and exchange rates. To facilitate the strengthening of cross-border trade, the United States has reached an agreement with Mexico and Canada to increase the value of de minimis delivery. For the first time in decades, Canada will increase its de minimis level from $20 to $40 for taxes. Canada will also offer duty-free shipments of up to 150 $US. Mexico will continue to provide $50 of tax-exempt de minimis and will also provide duty-free shipments up to the equivalent of $117. Shipping rates to this level would be achieved with minimum formal entry procedures, which would allow more businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to be part of cross-border trade. An April 2019 Analysis by the International Trade Commission on the likely effects of the USMCA estimated that the agreement would increase U.S. real GDP by 0.35 percent if the agreement were fully implemented (six years after ratification) and would increase total U.S. employment by 0.12% (176,000 jobs).
[114] [115] The analysis cited by another Congressional Research Service study showed that the agreement would not have a measurable effect on employment, wages or overall economic growth. [114] In the summer of 2019, Larry Kudlow, Trump`s chief economic adviser (the director of the National Economic Council at Trump White House), made unfounded statements about the likely economic impact of the agreement and overstated forecasts related to jobs and GDP growth. [114] One of President Trump`s main goals in the renegotiation is to ensure that the agreement benefits American workers. The United States, Mexico and Canada have approved a laboratory chapter that brings work obligations to the heart of the agreement, makes them fully applicable and is the strongest provisions of any trade agreement. In addition to the original NAFTA provisions, the USMCA borrows significant credits under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreements and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). On April 3, 2020, Mexico announced its willingness to implement the agreement and joined Canada. [15] The agreement came into force on July 1, 2020. [16] [17] [18] [19] Canada ratified the agreement in March and the USMCA came into force on July 1, 2020. Although NAFTA is officially dead, governments and businesses are still adapting to the new rules, especially the new labour rules.
Coronavirus can also complicate implementation as manufacturers adapt to new guidelines in the midst of a global economic crisis. On this occasion, Us Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the U.S. treaty implementation authority, established the USMCA Center to coordinate CBP`s implementation of the contract in the United States. According to CBP, the agreement modernizes “certain NAFTA provisions that reflect the evolution of 21st century technology and supply chain” and “provides more efficient trade, greater implementation and more economic opportunities for North America.” The USMCA calls for “new approaches to rules of origin, access to agricultural markets, digital trade and financial services” and aims to protect workers` rights in key industries and strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights.
