On Thursday, May 7, trade expert Rafael Sánchez Navarro Caraza, who has sat at the negotiating table for the trilateral treaty, delivered a talk titled “Review of the USMCA and the Labor Chapter.”
One of the most pressing issues, Sánchez explained, is union freedom: the right of every worker to join, leave, or form a union, or to remain non-unionized. But he acknowledged that unionization still carries stigma, and the real challenge lies in building understanding between employers and employees.
That’s why Mexico’s legal framework now rests on pillars like collective bargaining, social dialogue, conciliation, mediation, and mutual problem-solving.
“The culture of both workers and employers is a major obstacle. Many workers refuse to accept their own failures. If they break their contract, they aren’t entitled to compensation but they think they are, simply because they showed up to work. Employers, too, must take responsibility for handling dismissals correctly and explaining the reasons clearly,” he said.
Tijuana, he added, is not just another border city. It is a commercial nerve center, intimately linked to California and the broader U.S. economy.
“The micro-country that is Tijuana and San Diego is important. Whatever happens here first will be reflected across the rest of Mexico. You are leading the way.”
He predicted that once business leaders feel security and predictability around the USMCA, investment will rise at a “pyramidal” level.
But he went even further, suggesting a bold addition to the treaty: a specific mechanism for temporary migration.
“In my view, it would be wonderful and beneficial for both sides to allow temporary migration for seasonal agricultural work, and perhaps more permanent migration for tourism services. That would be a game-changer,” Sánchez stated.
Meanwhile, Elisa Ibáñez, president of Coparmex Tijuana, noted that while the USMCA was designed to avoid renegotiation pitfalls, recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump on other sensitive issues have injected fresh uncertainty into cross-border relations.
“The best thing that can happen to Mexico is a successful USMCA review that leaves the treaty as unchanged as possible,” Ibáñez said.
She noted that one of Tijuana’s main issues has to do with maintaining tariff stability.
“The uncertainty created by tariff threats last year hit Tijuana hard. If this USMCA review ends well, it will bring a huge sense of calm.”
