The US Congress introduces a discussion draft with a view to increasing trade links and government support for trade with Central and South American businesses

On January 11, 2023, United States Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representative Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) released a “discussion draft” of The Americas Trade and Investment Act (“Americas Act”). [1] The objectives reflected in the draft text are notable, because it would create the “Americas Partnership,” a dramatic expansion of eligibility for the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) [2] to countries in Central and South America. As proposed, the United States Department of Commerce would administer the Americas Partnership program and oversee the admission application process through a new bureau in the Office of the Under Secretary for International Trade Administration. While the bill has not yet begun the legislative process necessary for it to become law, if passed, it