Research Library

On the episode of the Baker Briefing podcast, former U.S. Deputy Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney and fellow David A. Gantz join Tony Payan to explore the major challenges in North American trade ahead of the 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The U.S. is facing an ongoing labor shortage that is hampering its economic growth and contributing to inflationary pressures. Allowing more foreign-born workers into the U.S. in an orderly and legal manner is an effective way to ease this shortage.

Nearshoring — the outsourcing of production to another country — would increase manufacturing and further economic development across U.S.-Mexico border areas, but it also raises significant questions about environmental impacts and, ultimately, environmental justice. Both governments should begin drafting and implementing effective transboundary policies that incentivize companies to protect local communities and fragile border ecosystems from a manufacturing surge, writes research scholar Ivonne Cruz.

Low levels of cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico are making it impossible to resolve mutual security concerns, such as drug and human trafficking, cross border gunrunning, and money laundering. Both countries need to transcend their mutual suspicions to find common ground for cooperation to resolve binational security issues with satisfactory solutions, write Tony Payan and Rodrigo Montes de Oca.

Subjective U.S. research security policies are threatening critical partnerships between global scientists, especially between the U.S. and China. New policies based on empirical evidence are needed to protect American science while maintaining the nation’s global economic and technological competitiveness.

As Mexico becomes a desirable site for nearshoring, damaging environmental and social impacts on the border region may be exacerbated under the economic growth. A new report by research scholar Ivonne Cruz dissects the relationship between nearshoring’s ecological and socioeconomic risks and offers trade policy recommendations to support sustainable economic development, mitigate potential hazards, and safeguard local communities.

Oil will remain an important driver of America’s economic health for years to come. Any new oil policies implemented by the new administration should recognize the proven efficiency of the current oil market in adapting to change and ensure that secure, affordable oil is available even amid efforts to reduce long-term dependence on it, writes fellow Mark Finley.

This report explores the many challenges in securing minerals and materials for evolving energy needs. From lengthy project timelines to China’s control of supply chains, these obstacles are creating a multifaceted and uncertain energy landscape — and a vast range of possible energy futures.

The TN visa program, established 30 years ago, enables skilled professionals from Canada and Mexico to work in the United States. This paper uses an innovative approach to measure TN workers’ presence in the United States, revealing key insights into their labor market impact and demographics.

Given the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) to the economic well-being of the three countries involved, it is essential that all parties begin now to identify priorities for a formal review of the agreement to avoid trade delays and to secure economic competitiveness, writes fellow David A. Gantz.