January 2025

SMART BORDER COALITION

STAKEHOLDER WORKING GROUP MEETING

Our latest Smart Border Coalition Stakeholder Meeting saw an outstanding turnout of binational leaders, reinforcing the commitment to advancing border efficiency and collaboration.

Among the notable participants were U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin, CBP Director of Field Operations Sidney Aki, U.S. Consul General in Tijuana Christopher Teal, and Congressman Gilberto Herrera Solórzano, Secretary of Northern Baja Affairs.

The meeting featured timely presentations, including an in-depth, interactive discussion led by Luis Manuel Hernández, PhD, as well as a project update from Maria Rodríguez Molina from the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) on the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry—a future game-changer for cross-border mobility. SANDAG's board recently awarded Clark Construction a $3.5 million contract for pre-construction services.

U.S.-Mexico Tariffs Temporarily Averted

Cooperation Prevails

• A last-minute phone call between Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump led to an agreement that postpones proposed tariffs for 30 days.

• In exchange, Mexico has committed to deploying National Guard troops to the border to curb illegal immigration and disrupt the flow of fentanyl into the U.S.

• The trade community needs certainty—tariffs are not the answer to our shared challenges. A strong, binational economy thrives on stability, investment, and cooperation.

• The Smart Border Coalition firmly opposes tariffs as a solution and supports trade as the driving force of economic growth in both nations. Our region’s prosperity depends on policies that foster cross-border commerce, not hinder it.

BINATIONAL FORUM FOR CREATING OPPORTUNITIES UNDER USMCA

The Binational Forum, hosted by Concanaco Servytur, brought together over 600 attendees from across the U.S.-Mexico border region through five coordinated efforts.

The Tijuana session featured binational leaders from business chambers, industry organizations, and state, local, and federal governments. Discussions were led by Octavio De La Torre, President of Concanaco.

Key objectives included fostering strategic alliances between U.S. and Mexican business leaders, identifying opportunities in investment, commerce, and tourism.

The importance of USMCA was highlighted as a critical framework for stability, investment, and long-term economic growth. Participants agreed that collaboration between both nations is essential to sustaining trade, reinforcing regional prosperity, and strengthening binational partnerships.

OVERSEAS SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL (OSAC) BAJA CHAPTER

The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Baja California Chapter helps bridge security efforts between the U.S. State Department and the private sector, providing a platform for information-sharing and risk mitigation tailored to the unique challenges of the U.S.-Mexico border region.



At the latest OSAC Baja Chapter meeting, hosted by U.S. Consul General Christopher Teal at the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, business leaders and government officials came together to discuss security risks and opportunities for collaboration.

Special guest CBP Director of Field Operations Sidney Aki shared insights on border security operations and the evolving challenges affecting trade and travel.

By fostering binational cooperation and security awareness, the OSAC Baja Chapter helps create a safer, more efficient cross-border environment for businesses, residents, and travelers alike.

• Trump and leaders of Canada and Mexico say tariffs will be delayed one month after talks.

• San Diego’s border industry ‘thankful’ for tariff delay but preparing for the worst.

• Smart Border Coalition article on Mexico's recent Textile Trade Policy: A Threat to North American Supply Chains (San Diego Business Journal)

February 7th - 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce

Emergency Webinar on Tariffs Cost: Free