Editorial.. “De Ambos Laredos”

Last Friday in Washington, D.C., the 3 countries that make up “Team North America” achieved a “sporting-diplomatic” victory, showcasing the advantages of being strategic partners in many areas.

The highly anticipated meeting between Claudia Sheinbaum and Donald Trump finally took place, and together with Prime Minister Carney of Canada, the three players  demonstrated to the world the importance of teamwork.

Next year will feature three very important events (including the World Cup) that could contribute to the strongest trade relationship on the planet in the “game” known as T-MEC, USMCA, or CUSMA, depending on which side of the field you’re playing on.

The score can  be positive, and the game could continue on its course, or some might try to “foul” it, which would end up being a real “own goal.”

There will be a very positive sporting and tourist atmosphere due to this World Cup and what each country will contribute, but we will also be in the midst of a review of the commercial  treaty, which, according to the “rules of the game,” can be evaluated and potentially modified every six years.

Let’s remember that six years ago, Trump himself prompted a review of NAFTA, and that last week the same “coach” of the U.S. national team suggested that he could let the treaty expire to seek separate agreements with Mexico and Canada.

This will be decided/voted on by the US Congress and the Congresses of Mexico and Canada in July, just as the ball is rolling among the three partners.

But there is also a third element, which could end in “offsides,” “fouls,” and/or “penalties” by some of the key players for the treaty to continue.

2026 is an election year in which the entire House of Representatives is elected in November, but prior to this, there are primary elections in both parties and generally in the primaries the “extremist players” appear quite a bit, the pre-candidates who in order to attract attention, may concentrate  their “plays”  speeches on the negative aspects of the USMCA VS the positive ones.

Those who want to appeal to the most radical fans in some districts, telling them it’s better not to “play as a team” by promising not to vote for the treaty renewal, could put the more moderate players—those who see the treaty’s great advantages and how to strengthen it—in a difficult position.

For all these reasons, next year will be very intense in terms of sports, diplomacy, and commerce, so it is hoped that the three teams organizing the World Cup and the most important treaty in the planet will remain what they are: “World Cup Partners & World Class Partners”