TAMIU'S Dr. Covarrubias Addresses North American Integration at Mexico City Forum and San Antonio Startup Week Binational Summit

Dr. Daniel Covarrubias, director of Texas A&M International University's (TAMIU) A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development, recently participated in two significant forums addressing North American economic integration and cross-border innovation, one in Mexico City and the other in San Antonio,TX.

North Capital Forum 2025 – Mexico City

On October 7, Dr. Covarrubias joined a distinguished panel at the North Capital Forum 2025 in Mexico City for "On the Other Side: Aligning Industry, Investment, and Workforce Across Borders." The high-profile discussion explored how policy, infrastructure, and strategic cooperation shape competitiveness and resilience across North America.

Joining Dr. Covarrubias on the panel were Alfonso Nevarez (Vice Chairman of Port EPN (Eagle Pass/Piedras Negras) and former Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives; Gerald “Gerry” Schwebel, executive vice president, IBC Bank;  Geronimo Gutiérrez, former Ambassador of México to the United States and senior advisor at Covington & Burling LLP, and Jorge Márquez Abreu, chief marketing officer, Grupo México Transportes, with moderation by Mayra Maldonado, executive director, Hunt Institute for Global Competitiveness, the University of Texas-El Paso.

Covarrubias presented insights from the Texas Center's ongoing work on transformative cross-border initiatives, including three proposals he has developed, two in collaboration with fellow panelists Gutiérrez and Schwebel:

• The Binational Customs Agency – A "one border, one process" approach where U.S. and Mexican Customs officers work side-by-side to enhance both security and efficiency
• North American Industrial Coordination Council  – A framework to align industrial policy, investment, and workforce development across the region
• North American Digital Infrastructure Coordination Initiative  – Harnessing A.I. and cybersecurity to enable secure, interoperable commerce

"The future of trade integration in North America requires us to move beyond treating security and prosperity as competing priorities," Covarrubias explained, "Our research at the Texas Center demonstrates that strategic alignment and institutional innovation can transform border communities into engines of continental competitiveness."

The panel discussion also addressed the evolution of USMCA, the modernization of border operations, including one-stop customs facilities, and the critical role of Southern U.S. states as trade corridors connecting North American markets.

"I'm grateful to Geronimo and Gerry for being thought partners and co-authors on these critical initiatives," Covarrubias noted, "Their collaboration has been instrumental in developing actionable proposals that can enhance North American competitiveness."

San Antonio Startup Week Binational Summit

On October 14, Covarrubias delivered the keynote address at the San Antonio Startup Week Binational Summit, presenting "Reimagining North American Economic Integration." The presentation emphasized how entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems in border regions can drive continental economic growth while strengthening cross-border collaboration.

San Antonio Startup Week, now in its 10th year, brings together thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders for a week-long celebration of innovation and entrepreneurship. The Binational Summit specifically focused on opportunities for cross-border startup collaboration and investment.

"Border communities aren't just crossing points, they're innovation hubs," Covarrubias told attendees, "The convergence of entrepreneurial talent, binational networks, and emerging technologies positions cities like San Antonio and Laredo to lead the transformation of North American economic integration."

Building Continental Solutions

Both presentations underscored the approaching 2026 USMCA review as a critical opportunity to advance North American integration through institutional innovation and coordinated policy.

"As we look toward USMCA 2.0, the question isn't whether North America can afford to integrate security and prosperity objectives; it's whether we can afford not to," Covarrubias emphasized, "The solutions we develop today will shape continental trade and competitiveness for decades to come."

Acknowledgments

Covarrubias expressed his appreciation to Enrique Perret and the entire U.S. - México Foundation team for organizing the North Capital Forum, calling it "a world-class event that advances meaningful dialogue on regional integration and shared prosperity."

He also thanked Charles Woodin, CEO of Geekdom, along with S. David Ramírez, Conference Director, and Gladys González for their outstanding work in organizing San Antonio Startup Week and creating a platform that celebrates entrepreneurship and fosters binational collaboration.

The presentations built on themes from Covarrubias's recent work on Smart Borders and clean transportation infrastructure, as well as his book "Navigating the New Era of U.S. - México Trade," positioning institutional innovation and technological advancement as key drivers of regional economic development.

For more information about Dr. Covarrubias's work or TAMIU's Texas Center research initiatives, visit http://texascenter.tamiu.edu, email Dr. Covarrubias at dcova@tamiu.edu, or call 956.326.2520.

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