Center for North American Studies
Purpose
To continue development of a center headquartered at Texas A&M University for the promotion of stronger relationships among Canada, Mexico and the United States in trade of food and fiber products. These efforts are aimed at integrating the efforts among four participating academic institutions and expanding activities in education and training, research, policy analysis and cooperative study as related to trade issues in food and fiber products among the three countries. The center meets high-priority national needs to provide objective analyses for rapid, precise responses to emerging trade and international policy issues. Priorities include:
- Implementing programs to counter terror with trade
- Reducing the U.S. trade deficit
- Responding to market opportunities and competitive threats with unbiased economic impact analysis
Relevance
A dynamic global environment requires objective economic analysis to support sound policy and business decision making. Since 1994, the Center for North American Studies has developed a strong analytical program headquartered in Texas AgriLife Research cooperating with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Louisiana State University AgCenter, Texas Tech University and New Mexico State University. The center promotes a stronger U.S. agricultural trading relationships with Mexico, Canada and emerging trade partners such as Cuba, Central America and Iraq through extension education, applied research and economic analysis of critical trade issues.
Potential Impacts
- Food Chain Assessment. Assess impacts and vulnerabilities in the North American food chain, including foreign plants and other invasive species, foreign animal and plant diseases, agro-terrorism and other disruptions to trade
- Increased Vigilance. Expand and monitor trade and other international forces and institutions affecting the U.S. food and fiber system
- Better Participation. Facilitate increased market participation among private and public sector decision makers and other key participants throughout North and Central America and emerging markets
Lead Agency: Texas A&M University System
Partners: Texas Tech University
Louisiana State University
New Mexico State University