Global News Of Note: Mexico Launches Trade Investigation Against U.S. Cold-Rolled Steel

What happens abroad impacts MSCI members in North America. Here is the latest economic, trade, and other policy news of note for the last week:

• As the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) reported, Mexico’s International Commercial Practices Unit recently initiated an antidumping duty investigation into cold-rolled steel from the United States, China, and Malaysia. If an affirmative decision is issued in this investigation, the Mexican government may impose duties on U.S. exports. As such, the ITA urges U.S. companies involved in the production, sale, or distribution of these goods to register as interested parties in the matter since doing so would allow those firms to access the case records and submit information and comments.
• As Reuters reported, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Janice Charette to serve as the ‌next chief trade negotiator to the United States. Charette will act ​as a senior advisor to the prime minister and to Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade on the upcoming review of the United States, Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA), which will take place this year. Charette ​has twice ​served as clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the Cabinet.
• According to Mexico News Daily, the Mexican and Canadian governments “are aiming to deepen their economic integration via a joint action plan that will be unveiled in the second half of the year.” Specifically, Mexican Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard told reporters the two countries are preparing an “action plan” in order to “expand investment, increase commerce, reduce regulatory difficulties or obstacles, and facilitate the investment and the commerce between our countries.”