Technology, Traceability, and Talent: The Keys to Sustaining North America's Competitiveness

North America's competitiveness will be determined by its ability to integrate technology, ensure supply chain traceability, develop specialized talent, and strengthen coordination between governments and businesses, experts agreed during the panel "Women in Customs: Women Shaping the Future of Trade, Logistics and Customs," held at the Global Trade Summit.

Moderated by Graciela Salazar, the panel brought together Daniela Silva, Commercial Director of APM Terminals Mexico; Claudia Ávila Connelly, a trade policy specialist and former Director General of International Affairs at Mexico's National Customs Agency (ANAM); Lourdes Quinn, partner at Arias Quinn and a foreign trade specialist; and Elsa Hinojosa, Director of the City of Laredo Bridge System. From border infrastructure and port operations to trade policy and legal strategy, the participants agreed that the future of regional trade will depend on a comprehensive vision that combines innovation, collaboration, and human capital.

Border Infrastructure and Technology to Strengthen Trade Between Mexico and the United States

From the perspective of border operations, Elsa Hinojosa explained that the sustained growth in commercial crossings makes it necessary to expand the capacity of international bridges. However, she warned that infrastructure projects must be accompanied by investment in technology and ongoing coordination among authorities on both sides of the border.

"Expanding a bridge is not enough; both sides of the border must move forward at the same pace and remain up to date technologically," she said.

The Director of the City of Laredo Bridge System noted that expansion projects are already underway at the World Trade Bridge and the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge to respond to the steady increase in commercial activity.

She also emphasized the importance of modernizing the technology systems that support daily operations and strengthening coordination between Mexican and U.S. authorities to expedite crossings and reduce disruptions caused by operational interruptions.

According to Claudia Ávila Connelly, Mexico's geographic advantage is no longer sufficient to maintain the region's trade leadership.

"We are already strategic partners; becoming the United States' leading trading partner is not something just anyone can achieve. The competition is no longer between Mexico and the United States; it is in Asia and Africa," she said.

The specialist said the region must stop relying solely on its location and strengthen trade facilitation, institutional coordination, and a data-driven culture.

"Technology does not work by itself. There must be people behind it who coordinate it, process the data, and understand what the data is being used for," she emphasized.

She added that the digitalization promoted by the World Customs Organization seeks to enable customs agencies to exchange information under common standards, making international operations more efficient and secure.

Traceability and Automation Strengthen Supply Chains

One of the panel's strongest messages came from Lourdes Quinn, who said that the new tariff environment has increased the importance of traceability throughout supply chains.

The specialist explained that companies must not only comply with traditional customs processes, but also accurately demonstrate the origin of their goods, the integration of their inputs, and the complete journey of their products to their final destination.

"The issue can no longer be viewed solely from a customs perspective; we must understand the tariff impact and the traceability of the entire supply chain," she said.

Quinn warned that organizations without systems capable of documenting this process will face greater challenges in meeting regulatory requirements and fully capitalizing on nearshoring opportunities.

"Today, choosing a country based on its labor force or industrial parks is no longer enough; companies must also consider what technology will allow them to demonstrate that traceability," she added.

She also said that while Mexico and the United States continue to harmonize regulatory criteria, companies will need to rely on technological tools that strengthen compliance and provide detailed monitoring of their foreign trade operations.

From the port perspective, Daniela Silva explained that APM Terminals Mexico continues to make significant investments in automation and operational modernization, particularly at the Lázaro Cárdenas terminal. She said these investments are intended to increase operational efficiency, strengthen the supply chain, and move toward more sustainable processes through the use of clean energy.

"Just as important as automation is how we train people to take advantage of that technology and deliver the level of service our customers require," she said.

She added that the company's strategy includes not only the adoption of new technologies, but also the development of talent capable of operating those systems and responding to the new demands of international trade.

Although they approached the issue from different perspectives—infrastructure, public policy, regulatory compliance, and port operations—the panelists reached the same conclusion: the future of trade in North America will depend on the ability to integrate modern infrastructure, interoperable technology, specialized talent, and stronger coordination between the public and private sectors.

Artificial intelligence, automation, and digitalization were identified as essential tools for improving logistics and customs efficiency. However, the experts stressed that these solutions create value only when trained professionals are available to implement them, interpret them, and turn information into better decisions.

The message was clear: the next stage of trade between Mexico and the United States will be defined not only by infrastructure growth or new investment, but by the ability to build smarter, more transparent, and more connected supply chains.