NAFTA at Twenty: Trade, Transformation and the China Factor

This half-day conference will examine the impact China has had on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) following the country's 2001 entry into the WTO.

This half-day workshop will analyze the outcomes of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) from the standpoint of changes that have occurred along the US-Mexico border.  Despite the optimism that surrounded the implementation of NAFTA on January 1, 1994, its progress has been slowed by the decision of all three members (Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.) avoid the creation of institutions to guide and support the integration process; the lack of complementary economic reforms to promote competitiveness on Mexico’s part; and the rapid entry of Chinese trade and investment in the NAFTA bloc following China’s 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO).

1:00-1:05 p.m.: Welcome remarks
Dr. Carol Wise, Associate Professor of International Relations, USC
S. Lynne Walker, Vice President, Institute of the Americas 

1:05-2:30 p.m.: China's Challenge to Mexico's Maquiladora Industry
Dr. Enrique Dussel, Director, Institute for China-Mexico Studies, UNAM, Mexico City
Dr. Ralph Watkins, Americas Trade Analysis, LLC
Mr. David Chen, Deloitte Juarez-Mexico City
Moderator, Dr. Carol Wise, School of International Relations, USC 

2:30-2:45 p.m.: Coffee break

2:45-4:00 pm: Presentation of Americas Quarterly, Winter Issue on "NAFTA @ 20"
Christopher Sabatini, Editor, Americas Quarterly
Jeremy Martin, Institute of the Americas
Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico City
Joshua Tuynman, Doctoral Student, Politics & International Relations Program, USC
Moderator, Dr. Pamela Starr 

4:00-5:30 p.m.: Innovation, Relocation and Human Capital
Israel Lopez, Universidad Technologica de Tijuana
Rafael Solorzano, Former Director, Secretariat of Economic Development, Tijuana B.C.
Flavio Olivieri, Tijuana Economic Development Corporation
Ms. Amy Liang, Deloitte, Mexico City
Moderator, S. Lynne Walker, Vice President, Institute of the Americas

5:30-6:00 p.m.: Closing remarks
Dr. Juan Carlos Moreno-Brid, CEPAL, Mexico City