CONVOCATION 5.0 MARCH 19–21, 2026 POLICY BRIEF ABOUT THE PROGRAM Convocation is a joint initiative of the U.S.-Mexico Foundation and key partners, designed to bring together former ambassadors from the United States, Mexico, and Canada to engage in strategic dialogue on the current and future state of North American cooperation. Over the course of a two-day gathering, these distinguished former diplomats participate in high-level discussions addressing some of the most pressing issues on the regional agenda, including: - The strategic alignment of North American economies is essential for boosting global competitiveness and regional resilience. - The development of a binational workforce, one that not only meets market demands but also fosters social inclusion and mobility. - Public security and cross-border cooperation, particularly in the face of shared challenges like migration, organized crime, and governance. - The role of culture, educational exchange, and soft power as vital tools for building trust, mutual understanding, and regional cohesion. Convocation is more than a dialogue—it is a platform for action. Its primary goal is to generate concrete ideas and actionable recommendations informed by the deep diplomatic experience of its participants. These insights are then shared with key stakeholders across government, business, and academia, with the aim of shaping forward-looking strategies for the trilateral relationship. At a time when North America faces both shared challenges and unprecedented opportunities, Convocation seeks to be a catalyst for renewed collaboration, reaffirming the vision of an integrated, prosperous, and resilient region. TABLE OF CONTENTS About the Program About the Partners Attendees Sponsors Introduction Executive Summary Session 1: Strengthening Regional Stability — Security and Rule of Law Session 2: Migration and Labor Mobility Session 3: Trade, Supply Chain Integration, and the USMCA Session 4: Driving the Automotive Future — Innovation and Energy Integration Session 5: China’s Global Role and Its Relevance for North American Regional Security Session 6: Educational and Professional Exchange as Tools of Diplomacy Conclusion Authors The U.S.-Mexico Foundation is a binational non-profit, non-partisan, organization dedicated to fostering cooperation and bilateral understanding between the United States and Mexico. Rooted in the North America Free Trade Agreement, the organization was founded in 2001 and began operations in 2004 with seed capital from the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Carnegie Corporation and FUNDEMEX. The USMF is governed by a binational board consisting of business and civic leaders, with extensive networks in the U.S. and Mexico. The USMF embarked on a new chapter in 2018, with a compelling agenda that prioritizes policy and advocacy. The organization is focused on creating new strategic alliances, educating important stakeholders, and providing a voice on the most relevant issues concerning the U.S.-Mexico relationship. Our Mission is to promote binational understanding and collaboration between the United States and Mexico. The Weiser Diplomacy Center, established in 2018 at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy through a gift from University of Michigan alumni Ron and Eileen Weiser, serves as a leading hub for practical training in international affairs and engagement with the foreign policy community. Housed within the Ford School, the Center brings a diverse group of seasoned diplomats and foreign policy experts to campus, supports professors of practice in international diplomacy, and provides opportunities for visiting diplomats from around the world. Its mission is to provide practical training for students interested in international affairs, advance research on diplomacy-related topics, and strengthen the University of Michigan’s engagement with the foreign policy community. Through its academic and experiential initiatives, the Center enables students to apply their knowledge in practical settings while reinforcing the University of Michigan’s role as a national leader in international policy education and global engagement. The Mexico Program at the Inter-American Dialogue strengthens understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States through its unique position as a trusted and independent platform for research, perspectives, and public discussion around critical issues in the bilateral relationship. The program’s core objective is to be the go-to resource and platform for government and industry leaders seeking to strengthen diplomacy and shape public policy in Washington, D.C., and Mexico City. By convening experts and leaders from across society, the program bridges perspectives and drives actionable solutions for a more prosperous, secure, and resilient bilateral relationship. ATTENDEES Ambassadors Mexico Esteban Moctezuma Miguel Basáñez Carlos de Icaza Gerónimo Gutiérrez Dionisio Pérez-Jácome United States John Negroponte Kenneth Salazar Canada Sara Hradecky Michael Kergin Louise Blais Graeme Clark Pierre Alarie Special Guests / Experts Brittany Affolter-Caine – Executive Director, Research Universities for Michigan; Board Member, Global Ties Detroit Chrystia Freeland – Economic Advisor to the President of Ukraine and Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Canada Debbie Dingell – U.S. Representative from Michigan since 2015, representing the state’s 6th Congressional District since 2023 Ildefonso Guajardo – Former Secretary of Economy of Mexico and Lead Mexican Negotiator of USMCA Jason Morgan – State Representative, 23rd House District (Ann Arbor) Jennifer A. Conlin – State Representative, 48th House District (Ann Arbor) Kevin Sullivan – Vice President of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas and Head of the AS/COA Washington Office Marian Reich – Executive Director, Global Ties Detroit Mary Ng – Former Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development of Canada Rogelio Arzate – Executive President, National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) ATTENDEES Moderators Ambassador Susan D. Page, Director, Weiser Diplomacy Center. Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and Professor from Practice at the University of Michigan Law School Enrique Perret, Managing Director, U.S.-Mexico Foundation Lila Abed, Director of the Mexico Program at the Inter-American Dialogue Emilio Cadena, Chairman of the Board, U.S.-Mexico Foundation Dr. Dany Bahar, Director, Migration and Displacement and Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development Diana Paez, Senior Director, Energy & Mobility at the William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan Dr. Alan Taub, Robert H. Lurie Professor of Engineering; Director, University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center Karen E. Johnston, Regional Director, Government Affairs Toyota Motor North America Dr. Ann C. Lin, Director, Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies; Kenneth G. Lieberthal and Richard H. Rogel Professor of Chinese Studies; Associate Professor, Public Policy/Political Science Colin Seals, Director, External Affairs and Government Relations, LG Energy Solution Staff Adolfo Cervantes – USMF Ana Kourchenko – IAD Deyanira Ferraez – USMF María Calderón – IAD Nana Faye – WDC Nayab Ali – WDC Paola Bertran – USMF Renata Fabre – USMF SPONSORS INTRODUCTION From March 19 to 21, 2026, the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, the Weiser Diplomacy Center at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, and the Mexico Program at the Inter-American Dialogue hosted the fifth edition of the Convocation program: Convocation 5.0. Held in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and convened for the first time by the Weiser Diplomacy Center, the University of Michigan’s foreign policy and international affairs hub, the event brought together former ambassadors, policymakers, and experts from across North America. This two-day trilateral policy forum convened former and current ambassadors, senior policymakers, and experts from across North America for structured policy discussions alongside curated, on-the-ground excursions highlighting Michigan’s political, economic, and cultural assets. Participants visited Michigan Stadium, the largest stadium in the United States and the Western Hemisphere, experienced the legacy of President Ford at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, including archival materials from his presidency and insights into the lives of President Ford and First Lady Betty Ford, and traveled to Detroit for immersive visits to Newlab Detroit and Michigan Central, where discussions connected the city’s industrial history with emerging innovation in mobility, energy integration, and startup ecosystems. Together, these engagements complemented the policy dialogue by grounding conversations in the region’s institutional strengths and economic transformation. Across six sessions, Convocation 5.0 explored major policy issues shaping the future of North America, including regional security and rule of law, migration and labor mobility, trade and supply chain integration, the transformation of the automotive sector and energy systems, China’s global role and implications for regional strategy, and educational and professional exchanges as tools of diplomacy. Discussions emphasized the increasing interconnection between economic competitiveness, security cooperation, workforce dynamics, and technological change, while highlighting the importance of trilateral coordination among the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The forum provided a platform for candid dialogue among ambassadors and senior practitioners, encouraging forward-looking approaches on shared regional challenges without limiting the conversation to any single policy domain. The program also featured a high-level executive reception that brought together corporate leaders from Detroit, policy experts, and elected officials, including Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Mexico’s Ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma, Representative Jennifer Conlin, and Representative Jason Morgan. By combining substantive policy sessions with immersive site visits and cross-sector engagement, Convocation 5.0 underscored the value of bringing diplomatic leaders to Michigan to examine North America’s shared priorities through both strategic dialogue and firsthand exposure to the region’s institutional, industrial, and innovation landscape. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Convocation 5.0 convened at a pivotal moment for North America. Across six sessions, participants examined the pressures reshaping the region: security threats, demographic change, trade and supply-chain uncertainty, industrial and energy transformation, geopolitical competition, and the weakening of traditional diplomatic channels. A central conclusion was that these challenges can no longer be treated as separate policy tracks. Security shapes economic integration; labor mobility affects competitiveness; industrial and energy transitions are redefining strategic advantage; and educational and professional exchange remains essential to sustaining trust across borders. There was broad agreement that the United States, Mexico, and Canada retain significant structural advantages, but preserving them will require a more coherent, forward-looking, and distinctly trilateral vision. The session on regional stability, security, and rule of law underscored how security has moved to the center of the North American agenda. Organized crime, fentanyl, illicit finance, arms trafficking, and institutional weakness were discussed not only as public safety concerns, but also as factors shaping political trust, investment conditions, and regional cooperation. Participants noted that criminal networks are becoming more adaptive and deeply embedded, while expectations for results continue to rise without clear benchmarks. The discussion pointed toward a more balanced framework combining enforcement and institutional strengthening with demand reduction, public health measures, anti-money laundering efforts, and greater attention to the financial structures sustaining criminal activity across borders. The discussion on migration and labor mobility framed demographic change as a major long-term regional pressure. Aging populations, shrinking workforces, and labor shortages are creating mounting constraints on productivity and growth. Participants agreed that migration must be understood not only through the lenses of border management and humanitarian protection, but also as a labor-market issue of strategic importance. Existing mobility frameworks were seen as poorly aligned with real labor demand, particularly because they favor formal degree pathways over technical and vocational skills. The session highlighted practical openings for cooperation through better use of existing tools, stronger recognition of applied credentials, and closer coordination between employers, training institutions, and governments. Labor mobility was ultimately treated as a core pillar of North America’s competitiveness and demographic resilience. In the discussion on trade, supply chains, and the USMCA, participants emphasized that trade policy is increasingly shaped by national security concerns, domestic politics, and geopolitical rivalry. Tariffs, political cycles, and security-linked pressures complicate planning and weaken predictability, yet North America remains one of the most deeply integrated economic regions in the world. Participants stressed the importance of avoiding fragmented approaches and making a clearer public case for how trade, affordability, security, and resilience reinforce one another. More fundamentally, the conversation suggested that North America must think of itself not only as an integrated market, but as a strategic economic community. The session on the automotive future, innovation, and energy integration focused on a profound transformation in one of the region’s most important sectors. Electrification, digitalization, artificial intelligence, batteries, autonomous systems, and advanced manufacturing are reshaping competitiveness and exposing new vulnerabilities. Participants stressed that this transition should be understood not only as a technological shift, but as a strategic reordering with implications for energy security, industrial policy, and long-term resilience. Concerns centered on dependence on external suppliers for batteries, critical minerals, and processing capacity, as well as the gap between technological change and the slower pace of infrastructure, regulation, and investment. At the same time, there was strong agreement that North America’s integrated automotive base remains a major strategic asset. The session on China’s global role highlighted the need for a more coordinated regional response to a rapidly evolving geopolitical reality. Participants discussed China as a complex actor whose influence spans trade, technology, infrastructure, industrial policy, and global governance. Although the three North American partners do not approach China from identical positions, there was broad agreement that fragmented responses would weaken the region’s ability to navigate technological rivalry and geopolitical risk. The discussion pointed to the need for greater regional investment in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, research capacity, and higher education, as well as more strategic use of multilateral forums to defend shared interests and rules-based systems. Finally, the session on educational and professional exchange underscored the enduring strategic value of people-to-people ties. Participants agreed that exchanges remain one of the region’s most effective tools for building trust, cultivating leadership networks, and sustaining cooperation across political cycles. Yet, they also identified persistent barriers, including visa constraints, limited institutional support, weak alumni follow-up, and insufficient trilateral programming. There was strong support for moving beyond symbolic initiatives toward more immersive, sustained, and workforce-relevant models that include not only students, but also mid-career professionals, technical experts, and business leaders. Exchange was thus discussed as a strategic investment in North America’s long-term cohesion, talent formation, and diplomatic resilience. Executive Summary Taken together, the discussions at Convocation 5.0 pointed to a common conclusion: North America’s future will depend on whether the region can move beyond reactive, issue-by-issue coordination and adopt a more integrated strategic framework linking security, competitiveness, labor, innovation, energy, and soft power diplomacy. In the near term, participants emphasized reducing uncertainty, modernizing policy tools, and preserving political space for pragmatic cooperation. Over the longer term, they stressed the need to invest in institutional resilience, human capital, critical infrastructure, and a more coherent regional posture in an increasingly contested world. Several broad recommendations emerged across the dialogue, including establishing clearer trilateral benchmarks for cooperation, treating security and competitiveness as mutually reinforcing, modernizing labor mobility and workforce systems, advancing a coordinated regional strategy on industries and energy infrastructure, strengthening preparedness in response to China, and expanding educational and professional exchanges through more durable trilateral programming. Together, these recommendations reflected a shared view that North America’s prosperity, resilience, and global relevance will increasingly depend on its ability to function as a more cohesive regional community. Executive Summary SESSION 1 Strengthening Regional Stability: Security and Rule of Law The first session examined how security and rule-of-law challenges are increasingly shaping the broader North American agenda, not only in relation to public safety, but also as a central factor influencing trade, political trust, and regional coordination. At a moment of heightened pressure around fentanyl, organized crime, and border management, security has moved to the forefront of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada relationship and now conditions the wider prospects for economic integration and strategic cooperation. For North America, this is an especially important issue now because the region’s competitiveness, resilience, and longterm stability depend increasingly on its ability to address shared security risks through a more coordinated and forward-looking framework. Participants discussed security as the central issue currently shaping the North American agenda and, increasingly, the broader climate around the USMCA relationship. The discussion highlighted that, in the present environment, trade is no longer being treated as a standalone economic issue. Rather, it is being viewed through a security lens, particularly with respect to fentanyl, organized crime, border management, and the ability of the Mexican state to demonstrate measurable results. There was agreement that this shift has raised the political weight of the upcoming USMCA review and has increased pressure on bilateral decision-making. The discussion also highlighted that recent developments have reinforced the seriousness with which Washington is approaching this agenda. At the same time, participants noted that the current moment is marked by ambiguity: expectations have risen, but benchmarks remain insufficiently defined, creating uncertainty about what would constitute satisfactory progress and how future expectations may evolve. The Ambassadors emphasized that U.S. expectations toward Mexico appear to be intensifying despite visible operational gains. The discussion highlighted that recent law-enforcement actions, highprofile arrests, lab dismantlements, and enhanced bilateral coordination have demonstrated greater capacity for joint action. However, there was agreement that the absence of clearly established benchmarks has allowed expectations to continue shifting, leaving the relationship exposed to escalating demands. A key concern is that this dynamic may move the conversation beyond cooperation on security results and toward more politically sensitive requests, including action against public officials linked to organized crime and more direct operational collaboration. There was also agreement that Mexico’s current security posture differs meaningfully from that of the previous administration. Participants discussed improved coordination among security institutions, a more visible role for the security cabinet, and a greater willingness to act in areas that had previously been approached more cautiously. At the same time, it was noted that operational gains should not be confused with deeper structural progress. Institutional weakness and uneven state capacity continue to constrain the sustainability of recent advances. Participants also discussed how organized crime itself is evolving. The discussion underscored that criminal groups are becoming more adaptive, more decentralized in some respects, and in certain local contexts more deeply embedded in governance structures. There was agreement that this evolution complicates traditional “kingpin” approaches, particularly where criminal organizations are able to maintain continuity through franchised or institutionalized models. A notorious concern is that leadership removal alone may no longer produce the fragmentation effects once assumed, which suggests the need for more sophisticated approaches focused on finance, local governance, and institutional resilience. It was further emphasized that North American security cannot be assessed solely through a Mexico-focused lens. The discussion highlighted the importance of the U.S. demand side, including drug consumption, illicit financial flows, and arms trafficking, as well as the need to treat addiction as a public health issue rather than only a criminal justice matter. There was consensus that a more balanced regional approach would require greater attention to these U.S.-based drivers, alongside stronger action on money laundering and firearms trafficking across the region. The conversation broadened beyond bilateral concerns to a wider strategic horizon too. Participants discussed Canada’s distinct position, the implications of a more securitycentered U.S. approach to China, and the potential spillover effects of developments involving Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran. Concern was raised about these issues increasingly intersecting with North American supply chains, energy security, migration, and regional alignment. There was agreement Strengthening Regional Stability: Security and Rule of Law The conversation broadened beyond bilateral concerns to a wider strategic horizon too. that neither Mexico nor Canada has yet fully articulated a clear strategic posture on hemispheric security issues as they relate to China and other extra-regional pressures. Finally, participants underscored the strategic linkage between security and economic integration. The discussion highlighted that North America remains one of the most efficient trading platforms in the world, but that its resilience depends increasingly on whether the three countries can manage shared security risks. North America must therefore begin to treat security not as an issue adjacent to prosperity, but as one of its preconditions. A key area of concern is the widening gap between U.S. expectations and Mexico’s political and constitutional constraints. Participants discussed that, from Mexico’s perspective, joint operations involving U.S. personnel remain highly sensitive because of sovereignty concerns and long-standing principles of non-subordination. There was agreement that mismanaging this issue could significantly destabilize the bilateral relationship, particularly if pressure from Washington is perceived as ignoring Mexico’s domestic political limits. There was also agreement that the greatest risks at present are political rather than technical. Participants discussed the possibility that security pressures could spill over into the USMCA environment, not necessarily through formal treaty mechanisms, but through broader political leverage. The discussion highlighted that this risk is compounded by uncertainty around unilateral U.S. action, the lack of codified frameworks for cooperation, and the difficulty of negotiating with a U.S. administration whose positions may shift abruptly. The Ambassadors further emphasized the fragility of Mexico’s internal institutional context. The discussion highlighted concern about electoral vulnerability, the resilience of organized crime financing, and the limits of state capacity at multiple levels of government. There was agreement that pushing the Mexican government beyond what it can realistically absorb could weaken rather than strengthen regional security outcomes. Another important challenge identified was analytical asymmetry across the relationship. Participants discussed concern that key U.S. decision-makers do not always have a sufficiently grounded understanding of Mexico’s political constraints, institutional structure, or security landscape. This gap, they noted, can produce demands that are strategically counterproductive even when intended to accelerate cooperation. The discussion also identified structural limits in the broader counternarcotics agenda. There was agreement among participants that no durable solution will emerge if the region continues to treat the issue primarily through enforcement while underinvesting in public health, institutional strengthening, financial transparency, and demand reduction. There was consensus that Mexico is no longer only a transit corridor; it is also a domestic market facing its own health and security pressures. Despite these constraints, participants identified several areas where cooperation remains both possible and valuable. There was agreement that trust built between Mexican security officials and U.S. institutions provides an important foundation for continued engagement. They highlighted that this channel could help sustain Strengthening Regional Stability: Security and Rule of Law operational cooperation even in a politically difficult environment, provided expectations remain realistic and are framed in ways that preserve domestic legitimacy on both sides. Ambassadors also discussed the value of reciprocity as a political and operational principle. They mentioned that more balanced and simultaneous action across multiple fronts, including guns, money laundering, public health, and illicit financial flows, could create stronger political groundwork for cooperation and reduce the perception of one-sided demands. There was agreement on the importance of reframing certain forms of collaboration as coordinated rather than subordinated, particularly where language itself shapes political feasibility. There was concurrence that Canada has a more significant role to play in this agenda than is often assumed. Participants discussed opportunities for Canada to contribute in areas such as anti-money laundering, financial transparency, digitization, and the formalization of economic activity. The discussion highlighted that Canada-Mexico cooperation on selected issues could complement a broader trilateral architecture, especially where political conditions make full trilateral alignment more challenging in the short term. Attendees further emphasized that the region should eventually revisit a broader North American security discussion once the USMCA outlook becomes clearer. Ambassadors noted the need for more explicit rules, understandings, and institutional channels governing cooperation, especially given the current ambiguity surrounding what is authorized, what is coordinated, and what remains politically acceptable. Strengthening Regional Stability: Security and Rule of Law RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are intended as a non-exhaustive set of broad, policy-oriented considerations that may help inform future discussion on concrete avenues for regional cooperation. 1. Develop clearer benchmarks for bilateral security cooperation so that progress can be assessed against defined objectives rather than shifting political expectations. 2. Advance a more explicit framework for coordinated operations and intelligence cooperation, including clearer rules, institutional channels, and reciprocal mechanisms that reduce ambiguity while respecting sovereignty constraints. 3. Strengthen trilateral cooperation on security through a more balanced regional framework that addresses not only organized crime in Mexico, but also drug demand, arms trafficking, and illicit finance across North America. 4. Create a North American framework or working group on illicit finance, financial digitization, and informality reduction, with particular attention to how cash-intensive and informal systems enable criminal activity and weaken state capacity. 5. Promote a regional public health strategy on synthetic drugs and addiction, recognizing that long-term security gains will require stronger prevention, treatment, and demand-reduction policies, especially in the United States but increasingly across all three countries. 6. Expand cooperation on firearms trafficking and anti-money laundering, including stronger enforcement against the supply chains that sustain organized crime across borders. 7. Encourage regional initiatives on digitization, financial transparency, and economic formalization, particularly where these measures can strengthen resilience. 8. Reframe regional security as a prerequisite for long-term economic prosperity, linking security cooperation more directly to supply-chain resilience, investor confidence, energy security, and the future of North American integration. Strengthening Regional Stability: Security and Rule of Law SESSION 2 Migration and Labor Mobility This session examined migration and labor mobility as strategic issues for North America, highlighting their growing importance not only for border management and public debate, but also for long-term economic resilience, demographic sustainability, and regional competitiveness. The discussion emphasized that demographic change is reshaping labor markets across the region: aging populations, lower fertility rates, and rising retirement pressures are creating structural workforce gaps in key sectors, even as political narratives around migration have become more polarized. In this context, migration and labor mobility are increasingly central to how North America will sustain productivity, support critical industries, and respond to the broader pressures of economic transition. Participants discussed the extent to which demographic change is becoming a defining structural force across North America. It was particularly noted that aging populations, shrinking working-age cohorts, and rising retirement rates are creating mounting labor shortages in a range of occupations, with implications for productivity, inflation, and long-term fiscal sustainability. There was agreement that these pressures are especially significant in sectors such as health care, transportation, manufacturing, and selected skilled trades, where replacement needs are accelerating, and domestic labor supply alone may be insufficient to meet the demand. Ambassadors underscored that migration should be understood not only as a border issue, but as a labor market issue. Evidence suggests that labor market tightness and labor shortages are closely linked to migration pressures, and that efforts to restrict mobility without addressing underlying labor demand risk worsening shortages in critical sectors. There was concurrence that this dynamic has not been sufficiently incorporated into public policy discussions, despite its implications for wages, prices, and business continuity. The conversation centered on the importance of distinguishing between immigration, temporary labor mobility, and broader workforce matching mechanisms. Participants emphasized that a more functional North American framework would require greater attention to how workers move into specific jobs and sectors where shortages are acute, rather than treating all mobility channels with the same political lens. In this context, existing and functioning mechanisms such as the TN visa were identified as important starting points, -though limited in scope and underutilized relative to broader labor market needs. The need to align labor mobility with education, training, and workforce development was also underscored. Participants agreed that skills shortages cannot be addressed through migration policy alone. The discussion went on to delve into the value of partnerships among industry, technical institutions, community colleges, and local governments to create practical training pipelines, particularly in manufacturing and other high-demand sectors. At the same time, some noted that labor mobility must also account for internal barriers, including transport constraints, geographic mismatch between workers and jobs, and insufficient coordination between public and private actors. Another recurring theme was the importance of narrative and public communication. Participants discussed how migration debates in both the United States and Canada have become increasingly shaped by affordability concerns, political polarization, and perceptions of insecurity. A concurring worry is that these narratives often obscure the economic contribution of migrant workers and the practical reality that many sectors depend on labor mobility to remain competitive. Moreover, the Ambassadors mentioned that North America’s historical openness to migration is increasingly in tension with current political discourse, even as demographic and labor market trends make mobility more necessary. Finally, participants emphasized that migration and labor mobility should be considered within the wider North American integration agenda. Despite the fact that goods, services, supply chains, and labor markets are increasingly interconnected, the institutional mechanisms for facilitating labor mobility remain underdeveloped. There was consensus that labor mobility has been treated as a secondary issue within regional integration, despite its growing strategic relevance for sectors such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, semiconductors, agriculture, and construction. A primary concern among participants is that current mobility frameworks do not adequately reflect the skills profile most needed in North American labor markets. Participants discussed the limitations of pathways that rely heavily on formal degree requirements, particularly where demand is strongest for technical, vocational, and applied skills that may be acquired outside traditional university structures. This, notably, creates a mismatch between existing visa categories and real labor market needs. Attendees also noted the lack of clarity and flexibility in current governing frameworks. Evidently, occupational definitions, qualification requirements, and equivalency standards are often poorly aligned with industry demand, making it difficult to respond pragmatically to shortages in sectors such as construction, transportation, and skilled trades. A related concern is that highly politicized migration debates limit the space for more targeted, economically grounded proposals. Another major challenge identified was the weakness of institutional coordination. Participants discussed the absence of regular mechanisms that bring together government, business, labor, and training institutions to Migration and Labor Mobility assess labor needs and design practical responses. There was agreement that policy often remains reactive, even where shortages are predictable and supported by data. This gap is compounded by bureaucratic delays, outdated border infrastructure, and insufficient alignment between labor mobility policy and workforce development systems. The discussion underscored broader structural obstacles, including shortcomings in the asylum system, the persistence of smuggling networks, and inconsistent treatment of migrants once they are already in-country. Participants noted that these issues distort the broader migration debate and make it harder to separate humanitarian, security, and labormarket questions in a coherent way. Uncertainty and inconsistency in the system encourage irregularity rather than orderly mobility. Finally, the Ambassadors identified language, credential recognition, and public perception as additional barriers to labor mobility. A critical concern is that these factors can become rigid filters that exclude workers whose skills are demonstrably needed, while also reinforcing narratives that frame labor mobility primarily as a political liability rather than an economic necessity. Notwithstanding these challenges, attendees identified various areas where cooperation could advance in practical and politically feasible ways. The TN visa was particularly highlighted as one of the most promising existing instruments for North American labor mobility, particularly because it is already established and does not require new congressional approval. There was consensus that, while limited in its current form, it offers a useful foundation for thinking about how to better match labor demand and regional mobility channels. Participants also discussed the potential for more pragmatic recognition of technical and vocational qualifications. Participants noted that a more flexible interpretation of credentials, including apprenticeshipbased or sub-degree pathways for priority occupations, could significantly expand the usefulness of existing mobility mechanisms. This was seen as especially relevant in sectors where shortages are acute and where AI is unlikely to replace labor in the near future. There was agreement that subnational governments, industry, and educational institutions represent an important source of momentum. It was interestingly noted that governors, local officials, employers, and technical schools often have a clearer view of labor shortages and may be better positioned than national political actors to advance practical solutions. The exchange highlighted promising models based on workstudy partnerships, sector-specific training, and industry-led programs that connect education directly to labor demand. Moreover, linking labor mobility to supplychain integration and regional competitiveness was identified as an opportunity to strengthen trilateral coordination. Notably, sectors such as semiconductors, automotive manufacturing, logistics, health care, and construction could benefit from a more deliberate regional strategy connecting labor needs, mobility pathways, and training investments. There was consensus among participants that labor mobility should be treated as a core part of North America’s competitiveness agenda rather than as a peripheral or politically isolated issue. The discussion pointed to educational exchange as an underused avenue for building longer-term regional capacity as well. The Ambassadors emphasized that stronger academic, technical, and workforce exchanges could improve mutual understanding, strengthen human capital formation, and support more durable North American labor integration over time. Migration and Labor Mobility RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are intended as a non-exhaustive set of broad, policy-oriented considerations that may help inform future discussion on concrete avenues for regional cooperation. 1. Strengthen trilateral cooperation on labor mobility by treating workforce shortages as a shared North American challenge linked to demographic change, economic resilience, and regional competitiveness. 2. Develop a regional strategy for workforce matching in priority sectors, including health care, construction, transportation, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and other occupations where shortages are projected to deepen. 3. Modernize and expand the practical use of existing labor mobility tools, including the TN visa, through clearer occupational definitions, better sectoral targeting, and more functional qualification standards for technical and applied professions. 4. Promote greater recognition of technical, vocational, and apprenticeship-based credentials so that mobility pathways better reflect the actual skills most needed in North American labor markets. 5. Create a North American working framework on labor mobility, training, and credential recognition involving government, business, labor representatives, and educational institutions to align workforce needs with mobility and training policy. 6. Increase investment in sector-specific education, technical training, and work-study partnerships, building on successful models that connect employers directly with community colleges, technical schools, and training institutes. 7. Advance a more coordinated approach to border modernization and labor processing systems so that legal mobility pathways are more efficient, predictable, and responsive to market demand. 8. Pursue reform of asylum and related migration processes to reduce incentives for irregular channels and better distinguish humanitarian protection from labor mobility management. 9. Reframe public narratives on migration and labor mobility by emphasizing their role in sustaining growth, easing labor shortages, supporting affordability, and strengthening North America’s long-term economic future. Migration and Labor Mobility SESSION 3 Trade, Supply Chain Integration, and the USMCA The session examined how security, trade, and geopolitical competition are becoming increasingly interconnected across North America. Discussions emphasized that issues such as organized crime, fentanyl trafficking, tariffs, supply chains, and strategic competition with China are no longer separate policy areas but are now part of a broader strategic landscape shaping the U.S.-MexicoCanada relationship. Trade is no longer being treated as a purely economic issue but is increasingly viewed through a national security lens. At the same time, political dynamics in the United States are playing a growing role in shaping trade policy, tariff decisions, and the broader environment for North American economic integration. Ambassadors discussed how this shift reflects a broader change in how governments are approaching economic integration, where security concerns, supply chain resilience, and geopolitical alignment are becoming central considerations in trade and industrial policy. There was broad agreement that the region is entering a period of heightened uncertainty in which traditional trade and cooperation frameworks may not function as they have in the past. However, North America remains one of the most integrated economic regions in the world, and this integration provides a foundation for deeper strategic coordination if managed effectively. Security and economic integration were consistently discussed as increasingly linked. Regional competitiveness will depend not only on trade flows but also on the ability of the three countries to manage shared security risks, strengthen supply chains, and coordinate strategic industries. Ambassadors discussed how organized crime is evolving and becoming more adaptive and decentralized, which complicates traditional enforcement strategies and requires more sophisticated approaches focused on financial flows, institutional strength, and local governance capacity. The changing nature of trade negotiations and political decision-making in the United States was also a major theme. Domestic political pressures, strategic competition with China, and national security concerns are increasingly shaping trade policy decisions and negotiation dynamics. There was also discussion about the importance of coordination between Canada and Mexico when negotiating with the United States. Past experience showed that unity between the two countries can increase leverage and improve negotiating outcomes, particularly in periods of trade tension or tariff pressure. Supply chains were identified as a strategic priority. While North America remains highly integrated, the region still lacks sufficient production capacity in certain key sectors, including critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and some strategic technologies. This creates external dependencies that could become strategic vulnerabilities over time. The resilience of North American trade despite tariffs and political tensions was also discussed. However, resilience should not be mistaken for long-term stability, as prolonged uncertainty may reduce investment and slow deeper regional integration. Domestic politics and public opinion were also identified as increasingly important factors shaping trade and security policy, particularly in areas such as tariffs, migration, public safety, and affordability. Political uncertainty and unpredictability in U.S. trade and security policy were identified as one of the main challenges facing North American cooperation. This uncertainty complicates long-term planning, investment decisions, and trade negotiations. Another major challenge is the gap between U.S. expectations and Mexico’s political and constitutional constraints, particularly on security cooperation and sovereignty-sensitive issues. Mismanaging these pressures could destabilize the bilateral relationship and complicate broader regional cooperation. Ambassadors agreed that one structural risk is that North America may continue operating through parallel bilateral relationships rather than developing a truly trilateral strategy. This could weaken the region’s overall negotiating position and reduce strategic coherence. Supply chain vulnerabilities remain another major challenge, particularly in strategic manufacturing sectors and critical materials where North America still depends heavily on external suppliers. Institutional capacity, political cycles, and domestic economic pressures in all three countries may also limit how quickly deeper regional cooperation can advance. Finally, uncertainty itself was identified as a structural challenge. Businesses and investors require predictability, and prolonged uncertainty around tariffs, trade rules, and security cooperation may reduce investment across the region. Trade, Supply Chain Integration, and the USMCA ...resilience should not be mistaken for long-term stability, as prolonged uncertainty may reduce investment and slow deeper regional integration. Despite these challenges, there was agreement that important opportunities exist to strengthen North American cooperation. Deeper supply chain integration across the three countries could strengthen regional competitiveness and reduce dependence on external suppliers. Ambassadors discussed the importance of reciprocity and balance in regional cooperation, particularly in addressing not only organized crime and migration, but also arms trafficking, illicit finance, drug demand, and public health. A more balanced regional framework could make cooperation more politically sustainable in all three countries. There was also discussion about the potential for Canada to play a larger role in areas such as financial transparency, anti-money laundering, and economic digitization, which could complement broader regional security and economic initiatives. Canada and Mexico could also expand bilateral cooperation in certain areas as a way to strengthen North American integration even when full trilateral political alignment is difficult. Improving public communication, particularly in the United States, about the benefits of North American trade integration was also identified as an important opportunity. Public understanding of the relationship between trade, jobs, supply chains, and affordability will play an important role in shaping future policy decisions. More broadly, there was agreement that North America should begin thinking more strategically about its position in a more fragmented global economy and consider how the region could function as a more coordinated economic and strategic bloc. Trade, Supply Chain Integration, and the USMCA A more balanced regional framework could make cooperation more politically sustainable in all three countries. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are intended as a non-exhaustive set of broad, policy-oriented considerations that may help inform future discussion on concrete avenues for regional cooperation. 1. Develop clearer benchmarks and frameworks for regional security and trade cooperation so that progress can be measured against defined objectives. 2. Strengthen coordination between Canada and Mexico in negotiations with the United States to improve leverage and reduce the risk of fragmented bilateral negotiations. 3. Develop a more explicit trilateral strategy for supply chains, including advanced manufacturing, critical minerals, energy, and technology sectors. 4. Expand cooperation on anti-money laundering, firearms trafficking, illicit finance, and financial transparency across the region. 5. Promote a regional public health approach to drug demand and addiction as part of a broader security strategy. 6. Increase North American production capacity in strategic sectors to reduce dependence on external suppliers. 7. Improve public communication across all three countries about the benefits of regional economic integration. 8. Encourage regional initiatives on digitization, financial transparency, and economic formalization to strengthen institutional capacity and resilience. 9. Reframe North American security and economic cooperation as mutually reinforcing and as a prerequisite for long-term regional competitiveness and prosperity. 10. Maintain a long-term strategic perspective, recognizing that political cycles may delay major agreements, but structural economic integration should continue to advance. SESSION 4 Driving the Automotive Future: Innovation and Energy Integration In partnership with the William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan The discussion focused on the structural transformation of the global automotive industry and the implications for North American competitiveness, industrial policy, energy systems, and supply chains. The global industry is undergoing multiple simultaneous transitions, including electrification, digitalization, artificial intelligence integration, and the development of autonomous vehicles. These changes are not only altering how vehicles are powered, but also where value is created in the automotive sector, shifting importance toward batteries, software, advanced manufacturing, and data systems. A central theme throughout the discussion was the growing global role of China in the automotive and battery supply chain. China now dominates large portions of the electric vehicle market and controls a significant share of the processing and refining of critical minerals used in battery production. This reality means that the transition to electric vehicles is not simply an environmental or technological shift, but also a strategic and geopolitical one with implications for supply chain security and industrial competitiveness. Ambassadors discussed how these industrial shifts are increasingly linked to broader questions of economic security, energy security, and geopolitical competition. There was agreement that the automotive transition should be understood not only as an industrial transformation, but also as a strategic one that will shape North America’s long-term competitiveness. At the same time, North America remains one of the most integrated automotive production regions in the world, with supply chains that span all three countries. This integration represents a major competitive advantage, but it also means that the transition underway must be managed in a coordinated way across the region if North America is to remain globally competitive. A key point emphasized throughout the discussion was that the automotive transition is not happening evenly across sectors. Advances in battery technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing systems, and consumer demand are moving at different speeds, while policy and infrastructure development often move more slowly. This mismatch creates uncertainty for manufacturers, suppliers, and governments attempting to plan long-term investments. Affordability emerged as a central issue in the transition to electric vehicles. While electric vehicles reduce emissions and operating costs over time, the higher upfront cost of EVs in the region and the limited charging infrastructure remain a key barrier to widespread adoption . This raises broader questions about whether the transition will be driven primarily by policy, industry investment, or consumer demand. The discussion also highlighted the importance of energy infrastructure. Electrification on a large scale will require significant upgrades to electricity grids, charging networks, and energy generation capacity. Ambassadors discussed the growing link between electrification, grid infrastructure, and national security, particularly as vehicles become increasingly connected to digital networks and energy systems. Cybersecurity, grid resilience, and data protection were identified as emerging strategic concerns that will require coordination between governments and industry. Workforce and skills development was another major theme. The transition to electric and connected vehicles requires new technical skills in software, electronics, battery technology, and advanced manufacturing. At the same time, existing manufacturing plants require significant investment to be converted or modernized for electric vehicle production. The conversation also touched on how new technologies may change mobility itself, including autonomous vehicles, shared mobility models, and changing ownership patterns, particularly among younger generations. Over time, this could change not only how vehicles are produced but also how they are used and owned. Several structural challenges were identified. One of the most significant is the speed of technological change compared to the speed of policy development and industrial investment cycles. Automotive manufacturing operates on long investment timelines, while technology is evolving much more quickly, creating uncertainty and risk for firms making long-term investment decisions. Driving the Automotive Future: Innovation and Energy Integration Another major challenge is supply chain dependency, particularly in batteries and critical minerals, where North America remains heavily dependent on external suppliers. This creates strategic vulnerabilities, especially as global competition in electric vehicles intensifies. Ambassadors agreed that a lack of trilateral policy coordination could weaken North America’s global competitiveness, particularly if regulations, incentives, and standards diverge across the three countries. Greater alignment on industrial policy, energy policy, and trade policy was seen as necessary to maintain regional competitiveness. Ambassadors also discussed the importance of environmental security as a foundational element of North America’s long-term wellbeing and economic prosperity. The transition to electric vehicles was seen not only as an industrial and technological shift, but as closely linked to the broader expansion of renewable energy systems needed to power electrification sustainably. In this context, the growth of clean energy generation— including wind, solar, and other low-emission sources—was recognized as essential to ensuring that electrification delivers meaningful environmental benefits while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Strengthening environmental sustainability was therefore understood as complementary to enhancing energy security, industrial competitiveness, and public health across the region. Finally, the transition poses financial risks across the supply chain. Large manufacturers must invest heavily in new technologies and facilities, while smaller suppliers face even greater risks if they cannot adapt quickly enough to changing technology and production requirements. Despite these challenges, the transformation of the automotive industry also presents significant opportunities for North America. The region’s integrated supply chains, large consumer market, and advanced manufacturing base provide a strong foundation for remaining competitive if the transition is managed strategically. Ambassadors discussed the importance of treating North American automotive integration as a strategic asset and emphasized that maintaining and strengthening regional production networks should be a long-term priority for all three countries. One major opportunity lies in strengthening regional supply chains, particularly in batteries, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing. Greater regional coordination could reduce dependence on external suppliers and improve long-term economic security. There are also opportunities in workforce development, technological innovation, and new mobility models, including autonomous vehicles and shared transportation systems. These changes could reshape urban transportation, logistics, and vehicle ownership patterns over time. More broadly, the transition provides an opportunity for North America to align industrial policy, energy policy, and trade policy in a way that strengthens regional competitiveness in a rapidly changing global market. Driving the Automotive Future: Innovation and Energy Integration One major opportunity lies in strengthening regional supply chains, particularly in batteries, critical minerals, and advanced manufacturing. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are intended as a non-exhaustive set of broad, policy-oriented considerations that may help inform future discussion on concrete avenues for regional cooperation. 1. Develop a coordinated North American strategy on electric vehicles, batteries, and critical minerals to strengthen regional supply chains. 2. Invest in electricity grid capacity, charging infrastructure, and energy generation to support large-scale electrification. 3. Expand workforce training and education programs focused on advanced manufacturing, battery technology, and software integration. 4. Promote trilateral regulatory alignment and common standards for electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and digital systems. 5. Provide long-term policy certainty to support private sector investment in new technologies and manufacturing facilities. 6. Support research and development across multiple technological pathways, including battery electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. 7. Strengthen cybersecurity standards and protections for connected and electric vehicles. 8. Improve border infrastructure and logistics to support the highly integrated North American automotive supply chain. 9. Treat the automotive transition as a strategic industrial transformation linked to energy security, supply chains, and regional competitiveness. Driving the Automotive Future: Innovation and Energy Integration SESSION 5 China’s Global Role and Its Relevance for North American Regional Security In partnership with Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies, University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts The session examined China’s evolving role in the global system and its implications for North American regional security. Participants assessed how China poses both challenges and opportunities for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, considering each nation’s perspective alongside the broader trilateral context. A central theme was the framing of China’s global strategy, whether as a strategic competitor or existential threat in a Cold War context, or as a transactional actor seeking bilateral opportunities based on economic and strategic interests. The discussion underscored the need for subtle approaches that integrate technological, economic, and geopolitical considerations rather than relying on simplistic categorizations. Two contrasting models were used to analyze China’s strategic behavior. The Cold War model characterizes China as a strategic competitor whose actions threaten North American security, prompting cautious engagement and the formation of inward-focused alliances. In contrast, the transactional model depicts China as a pragmatic partner, engaging in investments and withdrawals based on mutual benefit, as demonstrated by trade and infrastructure projects in Iran and the Gulf. Taiwan was identified as an exception, reflecting China’s nationalist and strategic priorities rather than transactional motivations, and was highlighted as a significant flashpoint. Each North American country encounters distinct challenges in its engagement with China. Mexico’s approach has traditionally been cautious, influenced by trade deficits and delayed participation in WTO negotiations, although recent policy shifts aim to rebalance trade and investment. Canada faces geopolitical and human rights concerns, adopting pragmatic engagement while remaining attentive to U.S.-China relations. The United States must navigate competition with China’s growing technological and economic capabilities, particularly in critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing, while also monitoring China’s efforts to reshape global institutions, such as the BRICS. Participants examined China’s technological and economic influence, including advancements in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure, which provide a competitive advantage. Investment strategies differ by region, leveraging domestic wage differences while expanding international reach. Functional partnerships with China were identified as opportunities for North America to co-develop or access strategic technologies, provided these collaborations are carefully managed. The session also considered China’s engagement in multilateral systems. While China participates in institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), its approach remains primarily transactional, raising questions about the durability of multilateral rules and the extent to which China will adhere to frameworks that support North American interests. Participants observed that Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power enhances China’s capacity to pursue long-term strategic objectives, and that its governance model, which combines authoritarian control with economic competence, fosters growth but imposes constraints on sustainable innovation. The discussion highlighted regional security implications, particularly China’s military posture in the South China Sea and toward Taiwan, which increase strategic risks for North America. Participants emphasized the necessity of coordinated trilateral strategies to align trade, security, and diplomatic policies. Identified opportunities included leveraging the USMCA framework, pursuing joint technological development with China where mutually advantageous, strengthening multilateral engagement to protect North American interests, and enhancing collaboration between the private sector and academia to anticipate emerging competitive technologies. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain. Divergent perceptions of China among the three countries complicate policy coordination, and longstanding trade imbalances, especially between Mexico and China, persist as structural issues. Taiwan and other potential flashpoints in East Asia continue to pose high-risk scenarios, while China’s political consolidation and technological progress create asymmetric bargaining dynamics. The weakening of multilateral frameworks further complicates efforts to pursue coordinated, rules-based strategies. “The battle of the future needs to be fought. The future right now— capital, tech, energy—China is much more advanced. We must recognize that North America, together, has the power to remain economically competitive and uphold shared values. Alone, we cannot.” China’s Global Role and Its Relevance for North American Regional Security RECOMMENDATIONS The session emphasized the need to implement nuanced, coordinated, and forward-looking strategies toward China, given its multifaceted role in the global system and the implications for North American security and economic competitiveness. The following recommendations emerged from the discussion: 1. Treat China as a complex actor: Policymakers should acknowledge that China cannot be characterized solely as a strategic adversary or a transactional partner. Policies must be differentiated to reflect the diversity of China’s engagement strategies in trade, technology, and regional security. 2. Coordinate trilateral North American responses: The United States, Canada, and Mexico should formulate joint strategies in trade, security, and technology. Trilateral coordination through frameworks such as the USMCA will enhance regional influence and decrease dependence on bilateral U.S.-China engagement. 3. Invest in critical infrastructure, technology, and education: Maintaining North American competitiveness necessitates targeted investment in critical sectors such as advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and higher education. Enhancing workforce development and research capacity is essential to keep pace with China’s technological and industrial progress. 4. Use multilateral platforms strategically: North America should participate actively in multilateral institutions while remaining attentive to China’s transactional approach. Utilizing international forums to shape rules-based systems will help safeguard North American interests, particularly in trade, technology standards, and global governance. 5. Address historical and structural trade imbalances: Special attention should be directed toward Mexico’s trade relationship with China. Policymakers should consider targeted reforms, investment incentives, and regional trade initiatives to address asymmetries and promote equitable economic growth. 6. Prioritize diplomatic engagement on high-risk flashpoints: Taiwan, the South China Sea, and other strategic flashpoints demand sustained diplomatic engagement. North America should remain prepared for contingencies while pursuing de-escalation and cooperative management of regional tensions. 7. Leverage academic, private-sector, and civil-society networks: Collaboration among universities, research institutions, industry, and civil society can facilitate anticipation of technological, economic, and policy shifts. Strengthening these networks improves the region’s capacity to respond proactively to emerging challenges. 8. Promote North American values and economic models internationally: North American stakeholders should promote shared values, democratic principles, and economic models in international forums to offer alternatives to China’s influence and reinforce credibility in global governance. SESSION 6 Educational and Professional Exchange as Tools of Diplomacy In partnership with Global Ties Detroit The session “Educational and Professional Exchange as Tools of Diplomacy” concluded Convocation 5.0, bringing participants together to reflect on the role of exchanges in strengthening North American cooperation. Participants agreed that as traditional diplomatic channels diminish, educational and professional exchange initiatives have emerged as essential mechanisms for enhancing regional collaboration. Amid rising political tensions, visa restrictions, and reduced institutional diplomacy, people to people engagement has become increasingly important. The delegation emphasized that reductions in diplomatic infrastructure, including cuts to assistance programs and the elimination of senior diplomatic positions, have undermined traditional relationship-building mechanisms. Although legally mandated exchange programs such as Fulbright remain largely operational, they continue to face significant challenges, including visa restrictions, limited funding, and insufficient institutional follow-up. The discussion underscored that, amid weakening regional integration, rising isolationism, and increased competition for talent, exchange programs are among the few tools capable of fostering long-term trust, developing leadership networks, and promoting cooperation among the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Participants stressed that educational and professional exchanges are among the most effective long-term diplomatic instruments, particularly for cultivating future leaders. Members of the delegation noted that tens of thousands of individuals participate in exchange programs each year, many of whom later advance to senior roles in policymaking, diplomacy, and business. Participants also observed that many government officials across North America have studied in neighboring countries, highlighting the enduring impact of academic exchanges on regional relationships. Increasing barriers to mobility, especially visa restrictions and reduced immigration pathways, including constraints on H-1B and TN visas, were identified as limiting both academic and technical workforce exchanges. Delegation members noted that visa limitations are already diminishing participation in certain international exchange programs, with some initiatives receiving fewer applications due to perceptions that visas may be denied. The discussion also emphasized that exchange programs frequently lack sustained institutional follow-up. Participants noted that many initiatives prioritize awarding scholarships but do not maintain ongoing relationships, citing the absence of alumni databases and structured engagement opportunities. This deficiency limits the long-term diplomatic value of such investments. Several ambassadors observed that well-developed alumni networks can evolve into influential leadership communities across government, business, and civil society. Participants agreed that immersive, in-country experiences are significantly more effective than short-term visits or digital engagement. Delegation members noted that while technology may create a superficial sense of familiarity, long-term immersion cultivates deeper cultural understanding and lasting relationships. One example discussed was a “future leaders” initiative that integrates cultural orientation, institutional learning, and professional placements. The discussion also highlighted the limited institutionalization of trilateral North American exchanges. While bilateral programs are in place, participants noted the absence of systematic initiatives connecting students, professionals, and policymakers across all three countries. Expanding trilateral programs was identified as a means to strengthen regional cooperation. The increasing involvement of the private sector was also emphasized, as corporations benefit from exchange-trained talent but seldom provide financial support. Participants proposed public-private partnership models, such as tax-deductible contributions, corporatesponsored fellowships, and industry-based professional exchanges. Delegation members further stressed the need to expand exchanges beyond academic contexts, highlighting the value of mid-career exchanges for business leaders, engineers, policy experts, and other decision-makers. Skills-based programs were also identified as a way to address workforce gaps and enhance cross-border collaboration. Participants also discussed the importance of narrative and public support. The delegation noted that exchanges are often celebrated symbolically but lack measurable outcomes to justify continued investment. Enhanced storytelling, systematic alumni tracking, and framing exchanges in terms of economic impact were identified as essential strategies for maintaining political and public support. Despite these opportunities, participants identified several key challenges that limit the effectiveness of educational and Educational and Professional Exchange as Tools of Diplomacy professional exchanges. These challenges include increased visa restrictions that reduce mobility, declining diplomatic infrastructure and institutional support, insufficient longterm alumni engagement, outdated funding models, limited trilateral exchange mechanisms, and inadequate private-sector investment. Additional constraints include an overreliance on short-term academic exchanges, weak public narratives demonstrating the value of exchanges, fragmented coordination among federal, state, and local actors, and political trends toward isolationism. Participants also identified several opportunities to enhance educational and professional exchanges as diplomatic tools. High-priority strategies included expanding trilateral programs across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, establishing structured alumni networks, and developing public-private partnership funding models. Participants further emphasized the value of professional and skills-based exchanges alongside traditional academic programs, leveraging cities, states, and universities to drive initiatives, and utilizing immersive programs to cultivate future leaders and long-term ambassadors. Additional opportunities include aligning exchanges with workforce needs, expediting visa processes for participants, expanding midcareer and leadership programs, and leveraging upcoming regional opportunities and shared economic priorities to foster deeper cooperation across North America. Educational and Professional Exchange as Tools of Diplomacy High-priority strategies included expanding trilateral programs across the United States, Mexico, and Canada... RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are intended as a non-exhaustive set of broad, policy-oriented considerations that may help inform future discussion on concrete avenues for regional cooperation. 1. Strengthen institutional frameworks and trilateral exchanges: Develop structured trilateral educational and professional exchange programs for students, policymakers, and mid-career professionals across North America. Prioritize immersive experiences, formal follow-up, and rotational programs to build leadership networks and support lasting relationships. 2. Enhance funding and public-private partnerships: Update scholarship funding and introduce flexible models that combine government, private-sector, and philanthropic support. Establish formal mechanisms for corporate sponsorship and industry involvement to align exchanges with workforce needs and ensure sustainability. 3. Improve mobility and visa pathways: Create streamlined visa processes for approved exchange participants to support academic and professional mobility. Keep short-term exchange mobility distinct from broader immigration discussions to maintain a focus on diplomacy. 4. Leverage subnational and institutional actors: Encourage states, cities, universities, and regional organizations to lead exchange initiatives, especially when federal coordination is limited. Subnational partnerships provide flexible platforms to expand people-to-people diplomacy. 5. Strengthen alumni engagement and public support: Create structured trilateral alumni networks and maintain long-term engagement with participants. Track outcomes, highlight success stories, and communicate the economic and diplomatic value of exchanges to build broader political and public support. 6. Develop implementation timeline: Organize recommendations by short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes to distinguish immediate actions from longer-term initiatives and support realistic implementation. Educational and Professional Exchange as Tools of Diplomacy CONCLUSION Convened at a critical juncture for North America, Convocation 5.0 brought together ambassadors, policymakers, and regional experts to reflect on the evolving challenges and opportunities shaping the trilateral relationship. Building on the momentum of previous gatherings, the discussions moved beyond isolated policy questions and instead emphasized the growing interdependence of the region’s core issues. Security, migration, trade, technological transformation, geopolitical competition, and educational exchange were consistently framed as interconnected elements of a broader regional dynamic requiring coordinated responses. Across all six sessions, a central conclusion emerged: North America’s long-term prosperity and resilience will depend on its ability to move beyond fragmented, issue-by-issue cooperation toward a more cohesive and strategic regional framework. Security is no longer separate from economic integration; labor mobility is inseparable from competitiveness; and industrial and energy transitions are reshaping the foundations of regional advantage. Participants consistently underscored that the region’s structural strengths—integrated supply chains, a large and dynamic workforce, and strong institutional capacity—remain significant, but require renewed coordination and political commitment to be fully realized. Convocation 5.0 also highlighted the growing importance of managing uncertainty. Political cycles, shifting policy priorities, and evolving geopolitical pressures—particularly in relation to China—are complicating long-term planning and testing the durability of existing frameworks such as the USMCA. In this context, the need for clearer benchmarks, more predictable policy environments, and stronger institutional channels for trilateral cooperation emerged as a recurring theme. Participants emphasized that reducing uncertainty is not only a technical challenge, but also a political imperative for sustaining investment, trust, and regional cohesion. At the same time, the discussions revealed a range of practical opportunities for advancing cooperation. These include modernizing labor mobility systems to better align with workforce needs, strengthening supply chain resilience in strategic industries, coordinating approaches to energy and technological transitions, and expanding educational and professional exchanges as long-term investments in regional trust and leadership. A more balanced approach to shared challenges—addressing not only organized crime and migration, but also demand-side factors, illicit finance, and public health—was also identified as essential for building sustainable and politically viable cooperation. Convocation 5.0 concluded with a shared recognition that North America stands at an inflection point. The region has the capacity to function not only as an integrated market, but as a coordinated strategic community capable of navigating a more competitive and uncertain global environment. Realizing this potential will require sustained dialogue, deeper alignment across governments and sectors, and a willingness to invest in long-term regional solutions. By leveraging collective expertise, strengthening institutional resilience, and advancing a more coherent trilateral vision, North America can build a more secure, competitive, and prosperous future. CONCLUSION (CONTINUED) AUTHORS NAYAB ALI International Diplomacy Program Administrator Weiser Diplomacy Center, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan Nayab Ali specializes in international diplomacy, public policy, and policy engagement. Prior to joining the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy, she worked at the Brookings Institution and the Center for American Progress, supporting research, writing, and high-level engagement on governance, national security, and international affairs, including collaboration with Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne Jr. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Studies from Pitzer College and an Honor Diploma in Politics, Policy & Leadership from Princeton University. MARÍA CALDERÓN Senior Program Associate Mexico Program, Inter-American Dialogue María Calderón focuses on U.S.-Mexico relations, legal institutions, and international public policy. Before joining the Inter-American Dialogue, she worked at the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute and McLarty Associates, supporting high-level engagement and advising organizations on issues related to Mexico and the bilateral relationship. She holds an LLM in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University and a law degree from Universidad Panamericana. ADOLFO CERVANTES Public Policy Specialist U.S.-Mexico Foundation Adolfo Cervantes specializes in public policy, governance, and North American cooperation. He previously served in the Government of the State of Guerrero in Mexico, where he worked with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), government agencies, and civil society organizations to develop sociodemographic public policy initiatives. He holds a Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education. ANA KOURCHENKO Program Associate Mexico Program, Inter-American Dialogue Ana Kourchenko works on democratic governance, peacebuilding, and international cooperation in Latin America. Prior to joining the Inter-American Dialogue, she led the Mexico chapter of the Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT), where she focused on national peacebuilding policy and democratic transition initiatives. She holds a master’s degree in Governance, Development, and Public Policy from the University of Sussex and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Universidad Iberoamericana. usmexicofoundation.org/convocation