The recent United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) signed in 2018 has brought attention to the issue of borders and international agreements. One of the key components of this agreement is the border provisions, which aim to promote free and fair trade between the three countries.

The USMCA replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and includes several modifications to the original agreement. The border provisions focus on improving customs procedures, reducing barriers to trade, and strengthening intellectual property protections.

One notable change in the USMCA is the new rules of origin for the automotive industry. Under NAFTA, a vehicle only needed to have 62.5% North American content to qualify for duty-free treatment. Under the USMCA, this requirement has been increased to 75% North American content.

Additionally, the USMCA includes provisions aimed at reducing trade barriers caused by non-tariff measures such as technical regulations and standards. This is expected to benefit small and medium-sized businesses who often face challenges in navigating these regulations.

Another key border provision in the USMCA is the strengthening of intellectual property protections. The agreement includes provisions aimed at protecting patents, copyrights, and trademarks, which will benefit companies in the pharmaceutical, software, and entertainment industries.

In addition to the USMCA, many countries have signed bilateral or multilateral agreements aimed at promoting international trade and reducing barriers at borders. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are examples of such agreements.

The TPP was originally signed by 12 countries, but the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2017. The remaining 11 countries negotiated a modified version of the agreement, which became the CPTPP.

The CPTPP is a free trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. The agreement includes provisions aimed at reducing trade barriers and improving market access for goods and services between these countries.

In conclusion, borders agreements such as the USMCA and the CPTPP have the potential to promote free and fair trade between countries, reduce barriers to trade, and strengthen intellectual property protections. These agreements are important for promoting economic growth and creating jobs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.