2020 Symposium Agenda | North American Process

A joint project of:

University of Calgary, The School of Public Policy

PANEL DESCRIPTION: Trilateral Economic Coordination, Despite Everything
2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, but despite the headwinds facing global trade and international coordination, the governments of Mexico, Canada and the United States were able to coordinate their counter-COVID-19 efforts. Although all three governments closed their borders to the flow of people, they remained open for important goods such as Personal Protective Equipment. In a time of unparalleled disruption, what positives can be taken from this trilateral coordination? And what steps must be taken to reopen our borders to the movement of people?

The pandemic is not the only headwind facing trilateral cooperation. There appears to be increasing political rhetoric surrounding protectionism and economic nationalism. Both U.S. Presidential candidates' campaign platforms contain ‘Buy American’ elements. Is North America entering a period of economic nationalist policies? If so, what does that mean for North American economic integration? Can economic nationalism and trilateralism coexist? Are supply chains moving closer to home in the form of onshoring and nearshoring, and how can North American firms leverage supply chain disruptions to their advantage?

Agenda for Friday, October 23, EST

10:50am-11:00am	Guests Connecting to the Event
11:00am-11:10am	Welcome and Opening Remarks Eugene Beaulieu, Program Director, School of Public Policy, University of Calgary Carlos García Fernández, Dean, Universidad Anáhuac México Jonathan Koppell, Dean, Watts College, Arizona State University Duncan Wood, Director, Mexico Institute, Wilson Center
11:10am- 12:15 pm	Panel 1: Trilateral Economic Coordination, Despite Everything Moderator: Earl Anthony Wayne, Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Scene setter: Luz María de la Mora, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade, Mexican Ministry of Economy Panelists: (CAN) - Mary-France Paquet, Chief Economist, Global Affairs Canada (MEX) - Luz María de la Mora, Undersecretary for Foreign Trade, Mexican Ministry of Economy (USA) - John Andersen, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere, U.S. Department of Commerce
12:15pm-12:45pm	Working Groups Sessions Symposium attendees are invited to develop specific and realistic recommendations for North American cooperation as part of one of the following two working groups: Group A: North American Coordination and Competitiveness Facilitator: Larry Rubin, Managing Partner for Latin America, DHR International Group B: The Adaptation of Business Supply Chains Facilitator: - Ari Van Assche, Professor, HEC Montreal
12:45pm-1:00pm	Presentation and Discussion of Working Group Findings Moderators: Duncan Wood, Director, Mexico Institute, Wilson Center Chris Sands, Director, Director, Canada Institute, Wilson Center