Jorge Gonzalez Henrichsen of the Nearshore Company on USMCA's future; Ensuring safety in the skies; Integrating technologies at our ports

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Jun 20, 2025

Jorge Gonzalez Henrichsen, Co-CEO of The Nearshore Company, unpacks the evolution of the USMCA trade agreement five years in, revealing its successes and the impact of recent tariffs on US-Mexico-Canada relations. He addresses the critical shortage of air traffic controllers, discussing safety implications and potential solutions. Additionally, the conversation pivots to the challenges marine terminals face in integrating digital technologies, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced data connectivity and automation to optimize operations.

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ANECDOTE

Nearshore Company's Manufacturing Role

Jorge Gonzalez Henrichsen shared his company's 33-year journey supporting manufacturing in Mexico across different industries and countries.
The Nearshore Company has 18 manufacturing facilities in northeast Mexico supporting operations near the U.S. border.

INSIGHT

USMCA's Key Updates

USMCA modernized and updated NAFTA, improving automotive rules, labor rights, environment, digital trade, and dispute resolution.
It also introduced a 16-year lifespan and mandatory reviews, unlike NAFTA's indefinite term.

INSIGHT

North America as Trade Block

North American countries need to act as a unified trade block to address challenges like nearshoring, AI, and climate policy.
Deepening supply chain resilience and competitiveness is crucial as regional blocks gain importance globally.

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Our guest on this week's episode is Jorge Gonzalez Henrichsen, co-CEO of The Nearshore Company. It’s now been five years since the USMCA trade agreement was negotiated between the Mexico, Canada, and the United States, replacing NAFTA. In this current time of trade friction, including new tariffs on both Mexico and Canada, what’s still working with USMCA and what’s next for the trade alliance? Our guest offers some insights.

There is an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers in our nation. Recently a new study was delivered to Congress that showed the FAA hired only two-thirds of the air traffic controllers called for by its staffing models. By fiscal year 2024, nearly a third of air traffic control facilities had fallen 10% below model standards and about 22% had fallen 15% below. We discuss why there is a lack of air traffic controllers and what can be done to assure safety in the skies.

Despite widespread adoption of digital tools and automation technologies, marine terminals around the world face persistent challenges with issues such as data connectivity, system integration, and real-time visibility. New research shows that there are lots of opportunities for real-time, automated data connectivity across terminals. It seems that many terminals have made big technology investments, and the next step is to ensure that their systems connect and all work together.

Supply Chain Xchange also offers a podcast series called Supply Chain in the Fast Lane. It is co-produced with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals. All episodes are available to stream now. Go to your favorite podcast platform to subscribe and to listen to past and future episodes. The podcast is also available at www.thescxchange.com.

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Podcast is sponsored by: Storage Solutions

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