At the 2025 North Capital Forum, Emilio Cadena, CEO of Prodensa, joined other senior executives and public leaders to discuss the future of North American integration. As part of Prodensa’s ongoing effort to share valuable insights with the business community, we are publishing a series of blogs based on expert panels and high-level conversations from the forum. This edition covers the trilateral momentum behind trade, investment, and security cooperation in North America—highlighting what global manufacturers and supply chain executives need to know to plan for the future.
Feeling Good: USMCA Ambassadors Take the Stage
Ambassadors Cameron MacKay (Canada) and Esteban Moctezuma (Mexico) joined moderator Alma Caballero to discuss the future of trilateral cooperation under the USMCA. The panel offered fresh diplomatic perspectives on trade, security, and North America’s growing integration—reinforcing trust and unity across the region.
In today’s global supply chain environment, the question is no longer whether North America is integrated, but how quickly and deeply it can consolidate that integration. The trilateral partnership between Mexico, the United States, and Canada—anchored by the USMCA (T-MEC/CUSMA)—is evolving beyond trade agreements into a full-fledged platform for logistics, innovation, and manufacturing.
As highlighted by the Mexican and Canadian ambassadors during the forum, this regional alignment is creating the most stable and predictable environment in recent years for doing business in Mexico and across the continent. For companies seeking shelter services in Mexico or planning a turnkey operation, this ecosystem is fertile ground for investment.
Security was a key topic throughout the event. Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma noted that current cooperation between Mexico and the U.S. represents the highest level of bilateral security coordination in decades. This translates into:
Fewer disruptions at the border
Safer and more reliable transportation of goods
Increased confidence in manufacturing and logistics operations in Mexico
Meanwhile, Ambassador Cameron MacKay emphasized the need for trilateral security collaboration, including cybercrime prevention and anti-money laundering. These efforts are not just political gestures; they have direct implications for companies managing cross-border shipments and time-sensitive supply chains.
Addressing labor shortages was another central theme. Both ambassadors recognized that orderly migration programs are critical to supporting North America's nearshoring strategies. Canada, for example, annually welcomes over 50,000 Mexican workers through temporary labor programs, providing a model of legal, safe, and economically beneficial migration.
For companies investing in manufacturing in Mexico, these initiatives signal long-term workforce availability and legal protections that reduce labor risk and increase operational continuity.
The upcoming mandatory review of the USMCA in 2026 is a pivotal moment for the region. Both Mexico and Canada made it clear that the review should strengthen, not disrupt, the agreement.
For supply chain and legal teams, this is a moment to proactively shape trade policy. Rules of origin, digital trade, and dispute resolution mechanisms must be reviewed with precision to enhance competitiveness without introducing unnecessary risk.
The bilateral relationship between Mexico and Canada has historically been under-leveraged. However, with a new strategic agreement and frequent high-level communication, both nations are now aligning more closely on industrial policy, mining, energy, and financial services.
This is significant for companies pursuing nearshoring strategies: Canada’s growing investments in Mexico add financial depth and risk diversification to regional manufacturing ecosystems that have long been dominated by U.S. capital.
The panelists’ most powerful message was directed at the private sector: Get involved.
Governments need data, clarity, and industry engagement to build policies that support nearshoring and manufacturing competitiveness. Businesses should submit detailed recommendations ahead of the USMCA 2026 review.
North American integration is accelerating—and reshaping manufacturing and trade strategy
Security cooperation is improving logistics predictability and investment confidence
Migration policy is evolving to support skilled labor mobility across the region
The 2026 USMCA review is a unique opportunity for manufacturers to shape favorable trade conditions
Canada’s deeper integration with Mexico diversifies and strengthens the regional supply chain
For companies exploring nearshoring, manufacturing in Mexico, or shelter services, now is the time to engage. Prodensa’s team of trade and operations experts is ready to help translate this geopolitical momentum into actionable business strategies.