b'4American Journal ofTransportation ajot.comTexas booming with NAFTA 2.0 Representatives release statement following By Tad Thompson, AJOT 2nd meeting of USMCASouthTexaseconomicto support the efficient inboundshortageslimitavailability growthisboominginlargeflowoffreshproduce.Butof truck drivers, and groceryFollowingthesecondmodelforcompetitiveness, partbecauseoftheNAFTAimportshavenotbeenthestoresandrestaurantslookmeeting of the Canada-U.S.- that helped the three countries treaty, in Dante Galeazzis view. onlywinner.DomesticallytocapitalizeonthelocalMexico Agreement (CUSMA/ reachunprecedentedlevels ThisviewpointisthatgrownTexasproducehasfoodtrends,SouthTexasT-MEC/USMCA) Free Tradeofcollaborationandtrade. of the CEO/President of theCommission(FTC)onJulyTheAgreementprioritizes TexasInternationalProduce8,2022,CanadianMinistertheinterestsofworkersand Association, in Mission, TX.of International Trade, Exportunderservedcommunitiesand TIPA is the acronym used byPromotion,SmallBusinessreflects our shared recognition a group evolving from deepandEconomicDevelopmentthat trade policies should foster rootsasaTexasproducerMary Ng, Mexican Secretarybroad-basedandequitable growersassociation.Withof Economy Tatiana Clouthier,growth, spur innovation, protect huge Mexican produce importand United States Trade Rep.oursharedenvironment,and growthcomingtoSouthKatherineTaireleasedthehave a positive impact on our Texasdistributionfacilities,following statement: communities. Todays productive TexanindustryleadershadTodayCanada,Mexico,meetingsdemonstratedour theforesighttointegrateDante Galeazzi, president and CEO of the Texas International ProduceandtheUnitedStatesheldcollectiveeffortstoward MexicanimportsintotheirAssociation in Mission, TX, notes the strong geographic position of Souththesecondmeetingoftheimplementing,leveragingand marketing vision.Texas as a receiving point for Mexican fresh produce. CUSMA/T-MEC/USMCAenforcingtheCUSMA/T-Thus, Galeazzis perspectivebecome an important part ofhasleveragedtheexistingFTC in Vancouver, Canada. TheMEC/USMCA, which is even on the matter is powerful.this growth as well. fruitandvegetableindustryAgreementsupportsarobustmoreimportantafterRussias AndhowdoeshefeelHe elaborates: As logistics(BOOMINGcontinued onand inclusive North American(MEETINGcontinued on about the new USMCA treaty?expenses continue to climb, laborpage 8) economy and serves as a globalpage 8)Simply put, he refers to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement as NAFTA 2.0.These treaties by any nameWE KNOWare certainly a rose for Texas.They have been a major economicdriverforSouth Texasinmanyregards, Galeazzisaid.Automotive, manufacturing and energy are allindustrieswhosegrowthPEOPLEduringUSMCA/NAFTA benefitedSouthTexas,as didthegrowthofthefresh produce industry.Galeazzicitesa2021 Wilson Center report indicating from1993to2013,the growthofagriculturaltrade between Mexico, Canada and the U.S. grew 255 percent, from little over $16 billion to $82 billion.ForMexico,their fruit and vegetable sector has been a major success story, Galeazzi stressed of the reports data.HealsonotesUSDA AMSMarketNewsborder crossing figures, which show that in 2007, Mexico exportedby truckto the U.S. almost 261,000truckloads(40,000-poundequivalent)offresh produce. In 2021, that figure had grown to 602,000. Texas has been the primary recipient ofthatgrowth,duringthe same period increasing from 101,000truckloadstomore than320,000morethan half the total volume of trucks importing fresh produce from Mexico. observes,ThisMexicomadeeasy.Galeazzi growth has played an important roleindevelopingthe infrastructureforthefresh produceindustryinSouth Texas. Cities have focused on attracting builders specializing in cold storage facilities, state and local planners have put in placeover-weightcorridors tofacilitateinternational inbounds,federalauthorities havegrownlocalpersonnel toaccommodatethegrowth1000 Foust Rd., Brownsville, TX 78521(956) 831-45921-800-378-5395of these imports, and industryportofbrownsville.comhasplayedamajorrolein helping to shape various policies'