Join ICPA and Global Partner Braumiller Law Group and a Special Guest, for an informative webinar on:

Navigating Trade Tensions
Coercion or Collaboration in North America?
(Is Time Running Out on the USMCA?)

Hear perspectives from North American Trade Attorneys

Tuesday, February 4th, 2025

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. CST

Q&A to follow

In a world of evolving trade dynamics, understanding the nuances of international relations is crucial for businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders. Join us for an insightful webinar where we delve into the intricate trade relationships between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In this session, experts in international trade from each of these countries will outline the current threats and issues facing the North American trade landscape. We will explore how these challenges are perceived from different national viewpoints and the potential ramifications for each government involved.

Presenters will be Brenda Cordova, and Francisco De La Cruz, Braumiller Law Group’s Mexico Legal Counsel, Jim Holbein, BLG Counsel, Washington D.C., and Vincent Routhier, DS Avocats Canada S.E.N.C.R.L., s.r.l. DS Lawyers Canada LLP 

Key areas covered will include:

• An analysis of recent trade policies and the possibility of escalating tariffs
• The implications of retaliatory measures on bilateral relations
• How these trade tensions could impact businesses and consumers across North America
• the recent political changes in each country – Scheinbaum, Trump and Trudeau’s successor.
• whether tariffs make sense as a club against each other
• the benefits of USMCA duty-free trade
• the flow of energy products into the US from both Canada and Mexico
• stats on the trade imbalances, highlighting exports to each other by sector, including energy
• Trump statements versus legal reality and tactics each country can use
• touch on migration and fentanyl flows since they are the basis for Trump threatened actions
• What would each country want in a revised USMCA relationship?

Join us for this timely discussion to better understand the complex interplay of trade and politics in North America and prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from experts who are assisting clients in navigating the hurdles of trade in their region!

We look forward to your participation in this vital conversation!

Brenda Cordova leads the Mexico law practice for Braumiller Law Group, PLLC. She has been involved in Mexican Customs and trade matters since 1994.

Brenda has represented a wide range of multi-national and small companies, advising them on business matters in Mexico. She has helped these clients with their Customs and international trade law issues, and she is widely recognized as an expert in the following areas: classification ruling requests, labeling requirements, import/export procedures, AEO, free-trade agreements including NAFTA, certificates of origin, IMMEX, foreign investment, and incorporation procedures.

She has been a professor in Customs and trade law at the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi since 2001. She has also been a featured lecturer for a number of groups, including the International Compliance Professionals Association (ICPA), the Women in International Trade, the Small Business Development Center, the School of Foreign Trade at the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosi, and the Masters of Foreign Trade at the Universidad del Valle de Mexico.

Full Bio: https://www.braumillerlaw.com/bio/brenda-cordova/

Francisco graduated from the University of the State of Michoacan, has a Master’s Degree in Taxation and Administrative Law, a Specialization in Foreign Trade from the Virtual University of the Tax Administration Service, a Specialization in Foreign Language Teaching from the Pan-American University, a Degree in Tax Law from the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) and is an Interpreter-Translator (English-French-Spanish). He has more than 17 years of experience in the Mexican Federal Government as an auditor.

Francisco focuses his practice on foreign trade, customs valuation and originating goods. His vast experience also covers the execution and issuance of orders and legal support, the analysis of irregularities in foreign trade transactions and responsibilities related to audits, inspections, monitoring actions and origin verification. 

Full Bio: https://www.braumillerlaw.com/bio/francisco-de-la-cruz-garcia/

Jim Holbein is an expert about international trade topics based on over 30 years of government and private sector experience. He is currently advising numerous clients about international contracts and transactions, Buy America compliance, and dealing with federal agencies.

Jim previously supervised a professional staff maintaining the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. at the International Trade Commission (USITC). Additionally, he managed the NAFTA trade dispute settlement process while at the U.S. Department of Commerce and served as a diplomat and trade negotiator for the U.S. Department of State. 

Full Bio: James Holbein, Of Counsel – Braumiller Law Group

Vincent Routhier’s practice focuses on international trade and customs law; particularly in trade remedies (ADD | CVD), cross-border trade facilitation and customs/export controls compliance. He assists clients in developing import and export compliance programs and has represented clients before Canadian, U.S. and European agencies in the context of trade and customs proceedings. He advises corporate clients and governments on a broad range of international trade and customs law technical matters, providing strategic counsel in regard to issues arising from WTO Agreements, bilateral trade agreements (CUSMA/NAFTA/CETA/CPTPP), Canadian, American and European Union member state trade and customs provisions. 

Full Bio: Vincent Routhier – DS-Avocats – Litigation Lawyer