North America

North American trade is a significant supplier of manufacturing goods, technology and natural resources. In 2021, the region accounted for around 12% of world merchandise exports and 18% of world merchandise imports in volume, and for around 15% of world services exports and 12% of world services imports in volume. Moreover, the three countries, Canada, Mexico, and the United States, represent over 28% of the world’s foreign direct investment, registering over $458.7 billion in inflows and $492.3 billion in outflows in 2021. Canada, Mexico, and the United States have established a partnership through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its successor, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The three countries have since minimized tariffs and other trade barriers on goods and services, creating an integrated production platform that enhances their competitiveness and innovation. Furthermore, the region has established additional global trade relationships with a variety of partners, including Australia, China, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

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    U.S. International Trade Administration: Find Buyers and Partners

    This website providers a series of resources to finding a buyer or partner for a good or service. It provides information on due diligence, intellectual property rights, financing, and e-commerce. It has information for U.S. businesses, with much of this information also applicable more broadly.

    Source: U.S. International Trade Administration

    Businesses: Goods, Services, Capacity Building, Export Potential, North America,
    This website providers a series of resources to finding a buyer or partner for a good or service. It provides information on due diligence, intellectual property rights, financing, and e-commerce. It has information for U.S. businesses, with much of this information also applicable more broadly.
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    U.S. Commercial Service: A Basic Guide to Exporting

    This detailed guide maps out key considerations for exporters, from developing an export strategy to understanding rules of origin for trade agreements. It covers both goods and services, as well as issues related to electronic commerce, intellectual property rules, and international legal considerations.

    Source: U.S. Department of Commerce (U.S. Commercial Service), 2015

    Businesses: Goods, Services, Export Potential, North America,
    This detailed guide maps out key considerations for exporters, from developing an export strategy to understanding rules of origin for trade agreements. It covers both goods and services, as well as issues related to electronic commerce, intellectual property rules, and international legal considerations.
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    U.S. International Trade Administration: Export Potential

    This guide explains the key considerations for assessing export potential for a good or service. It includes information for U.S.-specific exporters, as well as information applicable more broadly.

    Source: U.S. International Trade Administration

    Businesses: Goods, Export Potential, North America,
    This guide explains the key considerations for assessing export potential for a good or service. It includes information for U.S.-specific exporters, as well as information applicable more broadly.
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    U.S. International Trade Administration: Exporter Assessments

    This resource provides a guide for MSMEs looking to assess their export readiness, ranging from new exporters to experienced ones. While designed for U.S. companies, it has information applicable more broadly.

    Source: U.S. International Trade Administration

    Businesses: Goods, Export Potential, North America,
    This resource provides a guide for MSMEs looking to assess their export readiness, ranging from new exporters to experienced ones. While designed for U.S. companies, it has information applicable more broadly.
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    Canadian Trade Commissioner Service: Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting

    This resource provides a detailed guide to exporting for MSMEs based in Canada, as well as those based in other countries. It covers topics such as assessing export potential, connecting to global value chains, developing export plans and marketing plans, delivering products, and more.

    Source: The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada)

    Businesses: Goods, Border Procedures & Trade Facilitation, Export Potential, North America,
    This resource provides a detailed guide to exporting for MSMEs based in Canada, as well as those based in other countries. It covers topics such as assessing export potential, connecting to global value chains, developing export plans and marketing plans, delivering products, and more.
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    MSME Clearinghouse

    This online hub features MSME-related information linked to trade and trade agreements, designed for member states of the Organization of American States.

    Source: Organization of American States

    Policymakers: Goods, Regional Trade Agreements, North America,
    This online hub features MSME-related information linked to trade and trade agreements, designed for member states of the Organization of American States.