The Future of USMCA

Join the American Security Project on Thursday, September 26 for a panel discussion on USMCA and the national security implications of a new North American trade agreement. Congressman Henry Cuellar, (D-TX), will offer introductory remarks followed by a panel of experts.

Lunch refreshments will be served from 11:45pm – 12:15pm.

Please arrive by 12:00pm for registration.

The event will be begin promptly at 12:15pm.

About The Speakers

Congressman Henry Cuellar

Serving his eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Henry Cuellar proudly represents Texas’ 28th congressional district, which includes the cities of Laredo, Mission, Rio Grande City, and San Antonio.

Congressman Cuellar serves as the only Texas Democrat on the powerful U.S. House Appropriations Committee. He is the Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, while also serving on the Defense Subcommittee and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. Congressman Cuellar was named Chief Deputy Whip for the 116th Congress, where he works in a bipartisan manner to serve the American people.

Eric Farnsworth has led the Washington office of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society since 2003, during which time the stature and influence of the organization has grown significantly. He has played an important thought leadership and advocacy role across the broad range of issues affecting U.S. relations with the Western Hemisphere, including economic development, trade, and energy; Asia-Latin American relations and broader BRICS and global governance issues; security; and democracy.

Farnsworth began his career in Washington with the U.S. Department of State after obtaining an MPA in international relations from Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. During his time in government he served in positions of increasing responsibility in the foreign policy and trade communities, from Western Hemisphere Affairs at State to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, culminating in a three and a half year appointment as the senior advisor to the White House special envoy for the Americas. In this capacity he played an important role in developing and implementing the Clinton administration’s policies toward the Western Hemisphere. He was awarded the Superior Honor Award three times.

Ed Gerwin is a lawyer, trade policy analyst, and President of Trade Guru LLC. He provides advice on trade issues to domestic and international organizations and is a frequent writer and commentator on trade, economic, and political developments.

Ed has served as a senior fellow at both the Progressive Policy Institute and Third Way. In those roles, he focused on how trade can better support inclusive economic growth and wrote extensively on trade agreements, tariffs, public and political support for trade, and the connections between trade, the digital economy, and small business. He also advised the Obama Administration, Congress, and the broader business community on these issues.

Ed was previously a partner with the international law firm of Winston & Strawn. During his 28-year career at Winston & Strawn, Ed represented and advised American and global clients on a broad range of international trade, legislative, and federal policy matters.

From January to November 2008, Ed served on a full-time basis on the Obama presidential campaign, working in eight primary states, and managing a general election office in Northern Virginia.

Ed has authored many reports on trade policy issues and is a frequent speaker at Congressional, think tank, and business forums. He has written numerous editorials on trade and political topics for publications including Bloomberg, Forbes, The Hill, The Huffington Post, The New York Daily News, Roll Call, and The Wall Street Journal.

Ed received his BA from Villanova University and his JD from Georgetown University Law Center.