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The Trump Administration Has Decided Not to Extend USMCA Trade Deal

William Attardi on July 2, 2026

The United States has declined to extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during its mandatory six-year review, launching a 10-year countdown that could ultimately bring an end to the agreement unless the three countries agree to significant revisions. The move, announced Wednesday by the Trump administration, does not immediately terminate the agreement. Instead, it activates the treaty’s “sunset clause,” requiring annual reviews until 2036 unless the United States, Mexico, and Canada reach a consensus on extending the pact for another 16 years. The decision injects fresh uncertainty into one of the world’s largest trading blocs, which governs nearly $2 trillion in annual trade among the three nations. The Trump Administration Has Decided Not to Extend USMCA Trade Deal. Now A Countdown Begins to Change It | IBTimes

America Signs Semiconductor Trade Deal with Taiwan

William Attardi on January 22, 2026

This unprecedented commitment will strengthen U.S. economic resilience, create high-paying jobs, and bolster national security. The agreement establishes a strategic economic partnership between the United States and Taiwan to decisively strengthen U.S. domestic semiconductor supply chains and secure America’s technological and industrial leadership. Taiwan will facilitate U.S. investment in the Taiwanese semiconductor, AI, defense technology, telecommunications, and biotechnology industries to expand market access for American companies, deepen technological collaboration, and strengthen U.S. leadership in critical and emerging industries. The agreement will enhance balanced trade through a predictable tariff framework. America Signs Semiconductor Trade Deal With Taiwan – electrifiED

Trump Announces ‘Full and Complete Trade Deal’ with South Korea

William Attardi on July 31, 2025

The announcement comes days after Trump secureda major trade deal with the European Union that lowered tariff rates to 15% in exchange for investments in U.S. energy and other goods. Trump’s deal with South Korea is similar in that it lowers the tariff on the country from 25% to 15%, and includes investment in U.S. energy.  South Korea will purchase $100 Billion Dollars of LNG, or other Energy products and, further, South Korea has agreed to invest a large sum of money for their Investment purposes. “All of this will help reduce our Trade Deficit in a very major way” Trump said. Trump announces ‘full and complete trade deal’ with South Korea | Just The News

Interesting: The Three Pillars of Independence of an Organization

The 3 Pillars of Independence most commonly refers to a framework from the UK voluntary sector (specifically promoted by organizations like Bond and the Directory of Social Change). It is a toolkit for assessing and maintaining the independence of charities, NGOs, or civil society organizations.

The Three Pillars are:

  1. Independent of Party Politics – The organization (or regulator) must remain free from bias or influence by any political party or the government of the day. Decisions should be impartial, not favoring one political side.
  2. Independent of Populism – It should not be swayed by popular public opinion, media-driven campaigns, or transient public pressure, especially on controversial or unpopular causes.
  3. Independent of the Press – Freedom from media influence or pressure, ensuring decisions are based on evidence and law rather than headlines or public narratives.

This toolkit was created to monitor potential political encroachment on charitable regulation and to ensure charities can operate without undue external interference.

 

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