NAFTA – no automatic sunset clause or a predetermined ending date to the agreement. Even though the deal was signed on the 1 st of January 1994, US and Canada were already enjoying benefits of free trade since 1989. Now, USMCA’s implantation arguably will increase the confidence of companies and investors. Chapter 19 and 20 both survived, virtually intact . This is the unique difference between the two agreements w.r.t. Many people are referring to USMCA just as NAFTA 2.0. Although, to make that statement casts you as a cynic really, because it cuts against the political narrative that … It seeks to promote and protect free trade between the three countries that make up North America. There are numerous differences, including many improvements that lock in market access for U.S. products equal to what the U.S. lost after withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). USMCA: The new deal severely restricts chapter 11 between the U.S. and Mexico, while eliminating it between the U.S. and Canada. De Minimis. One big change was the threshold for duty-free entry of low-value goods into each of the three countries. NAFTA & USMCA. What are the differences between the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)? USMCA vs NAFTA: Biggest Differences At a Glance. As noted above, the USMCA, is in many ways, a continuation of the original NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement was first signed on Jan. 1, 1994 and this came as an improvement on the previous agreement between the United States and Canada. Many of its provisions are simply updates to rules over a quarter-century old. The new rules of origin may be similar in format, but they require careful review There are some main differences between the USMCA and NAFTA that will make the USMCA a more ideal replacement for NAFTA. The North American Free Trade Agreement, also known as NAFTA, is a free trade deal signed between America, Mexico and Canada. These were not included in the original version of the USMCA, but they were added in the yearlong negotiation process between Congress and the White House over the original form of the agreement. The new de minimis include: Comprising 34 chapters and 12 side letters, the agreement retains most of NAFTA’s market-opening measures as well as new provisions to make commerce more inclusive by facilitating the participation of entrepreneurial and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SME). 1- Auto Manufacturing One of the most notable changes is that, in order to benefit from tariff relief, 75% of a vehicle’s components should be made in one of the three countries (up from 62.5%). Below, we’ll be doing an overview of the 6 main differences between USMCA and NAFTA. The NAFTA deal broadened that by adding Mexico. The reason for that wider support can be found in one of the major changes from NAFTA to the USMCA: the implementation of significant labor protections. The agreement, governing $1.2 trillion worth of trade affecting nearly a half billion North American consumers, is expected to be signed by American, Canadian and Mexican leaders in November. At first glance, there appears to be many similarities between the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), but a closer look reveals quite a few differences. USMCA – meant to last for 16 years, wherein after 6 years, the three countries will again get together to negotiate and fix any problems and discuss the possibility of an extension.