International Trade
International trade is critical to the Texas economy, which is now the 8th and soon to be the 7th largest economy in the world, having already surpassed global economic powerhouses like South Korea, Russia and Australia. As the nation’s top exporting state for 22 consecutive years, Texas thrives on robust trade relationships that fuel economic growth, support millions of jobs, and ensure the competitiveness of Texas businesses in the global market.
Five years ago, President Trump successfully negotiated the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – by far the best trade deal ever – with the unanimous support of every single member of the bipartisan Texas Congressional delegation. Since that time, this landmark agreement has fueled record-breaking trade and job growth in Texas. In fact, just under half of all Texas exports are to our partners in Mexico and Canada.
As we approach the agreement’s formal review process in July 2026, ensuring the USMCA is not only maintained but further strengthened is critical to the state’s continued economic success. To ensure the Texas business community has a leading voice and keeps its important seat at the negotiating table, the newly created Texas Leads Trade (TLT) coalition will:
- Defend Texas’ position as a global trade leader
- Reject policies that undermine economic growth
- Invest in border infrastructure and security
- Promote trade agreements that drive growth.
With these long-term goals in mind, it is important we focus on maintaining economic prosperity in the near term while also addressing the immediate challenges of illegal migration, border security, and the pouring of illegal drugs into our communities. As I told the Rio Grande Guardian last week:
“We feel that we can accomplish those goals while increasing our prosperity through the contours of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which, at its base and at its at its most fundamental level, calls for tariff-free trade, tax-free trade in North America.”
At the beginning of this week, President Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum successfully came to an agreement whereby Mexico has agreed to enhance security at the U.S.-Mexico border, delaying any imposition of tariffs until next month, at the earliest. Shortly thereafter, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he had arrived at an agreement with President Trump to implement strategies to enhance security at the U.S.-Canada border, also delaying implementation of any tariffs by at least 30 days.
We applaud this important progress, as tariffs would only increase the price of groceries and gas, which affects all Americans but will disproportionately impact Texas as the most important state in the North American trading bloc.
Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding tariffs, Texas should double down on USMCA’s benefits—modernizing infrastructure, securing supply chains and keeping Texas as North America’s trade powerhouse.
The Texas business community is equally committed to maintaining and enhancing our North American trade relationships. During a recent panel I moderated in the Rio Grande Valley, Border Trade Alliance (BTA) Chairman Pete Sepulveda made clear that maintaining a tariff-free North America is critical to the competitive edge of the region and our entire state:
“At the end of the day, we know that tariffs are not a good thing. We’ve all seen what NAFTA did to the Rio Grande Valley, what USMCA has done. So, we don’t want to take a step back. BTA will be at the table during the review of the USMCA and we will do whatever we can to advocate for no tariffs.”
Dante Galeazzi, president of the Texas International Produce Association, emphasized the staggering impact of the region’s trade activity, particularly when it comes to healthy, affordable produce grown and transported across the Texas-Mexico border region:
“The RGV is where 70% of Texas’s fruits and vegetables are grown, in addition to where most of the fresh produce coming from Mexico is crossed. More than 9 billion pounds crosses from the international bridge…we’re talking about an economic impact to the state of roughly $25 billion.”
Texas also exports $35.9 billion in goods and $4.4 billion in services to Canada each year, while our neighbors to the north import approximately $37 billion in goods annually to the Lone Star State. Whether it’s the energy and technology industries, rare earths and critical minerals, semiconductors, or advanced manufacturing, trade with Canada has been key to supporting Texas’ innovation economy and further integrating our supply chains.
In North America, we now build things together. From auto manufacturing to aerospace and computer electronics, we build modern manufacturing marvels with our friends north and south. This important dynamic has played an important role in reshoring global supply chains away from East Asia, establishing Texas as the undisputed centerpiece of the North American economy and allowing us to more strongly compete against an ascendant China.
Texas wins with trade, and we want to do everything possible to maintain tariff-free trade with Mexico and Canada. As we look at the longer-term USMCA review process, we hope to find ways to further reduce non-tariff barriers so we can have an even more seamless trade with our North American trade partners and position Texas businesses large and small to better compete on the global stage.
To listen to my full interview on the core goals and key principles of TAB’s Texas Leads Trade coalition, click HERE.
Glenn Hamer
President and CEO - Texas Association of Business
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
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Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Early voting in Texas has surged past recent midterm and presidential benchmarks, with Democratic ballots currently outpacing Republican participation and fueling new debate over enthusiasm, turnout dynamics and what the numbers could signal for November. At the same time, the State Board of Education has approved more than 4,000 revisions to the state-developed Bluebonnet curriculum, reigniting scrutiny over oversight, taxpayer costs and how religion and American history are presented in public schools. Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott praised President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address and highlighted Texas’ alignment on border security, school choice and economic policy, underscoring the continued political partnership as Trump prepares to visit the state ahead of the primaries.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
How AI Is Reshaping Legislative Tracking Software and Policy Analysis
Missing even one update can impact compliance, strategy, and government relations.
Many teams still rely on manual research or scattered tools, which slows down analysis and increases the risk of errors.
Without reliable alerts and centralized data, it becomes difficult to stay informed and respond to fast-moving policy changes.
Artificial intelligence is changing how the legislative process is managed.
Modern systems now deliver real-time alerts, automate tracking, and provide ai powered insights that help teams stay ahead.
These solutions allow organizations to work smarter and improve their understanding of complex legislation.
In this guide, you will learn how AI improves legislative tracking, strengthens analysis, and supports better decisions.
What Is Legislative Tracking Software?
Understanding Legislative Tracking
Legislative tracking refers to the process of monitoring bills, regulations, and policy developments across multiple jurisdictions.
It helps organizations stay informed and respond to changes that matter.
Many organizations rely on advanced solutions like legislative tracking software to simplify tracking and maintain control of policy updates.
At its core, tracking systems collect data, improve organization, and deliver relevant results through dashboards and report outputs.
These tools support compliance, advocacy, and strategic planning.
Core Functions of Legislative Tracking Tools
Modern tools provide key capabilities that support efficient tracking.
- Bill tracking to monitor bills and updates.
- Monitoring committee hearings, hearings, and committee assignments.
- Tracking vote results and legislative date updates.
- Following executive orders and regulations.
- Creating advanced reporting for analysis and reporting needs.
These tools help users track bills, improve search, and maintain the organization of legislative data.
Importance of Bill Tracking
Thousands of bills are introduced each year across jurisdictions and at the federal level.
Without proper bill tracking, organizations can miss critical developments.
- Bill tracking helps identify relevant measures.
- It improves the analysis of legislation.
- It ensures teams never miss updates.
This strengthens understanding of the legislative process.
Limitations of Traditional Systems
Traditional tracking methods often rely on manual effort.
- Delayed alerts can cause teams to miss updates.
- Limited real-time visibility reduces effectiveness.
- Poor organization of data slows analysis.
These issues make it difficult to stay ahead of regulatory changes and advocacy needs.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Policy Analysis
How AI Processes Legislative Data
AI helps process large amounts of legislative data quickly.
- Natural language processing improves the understanding of legislation.
- Machine learning analyzes patterns in bills and regulations.
- Automation reduces manual tracking tasks.
This allows teams to save time and improve efficiency.
AI-Powered Insights for Better Analysis
AI provides ai powered insights that enhance analysis.
These insights help identify relevant measures and track policy changes across jurisdictions.
Organizations can anticipate trends and stay ahead of developments.
Real Time Alerts and Automation
AI-powered tools provide real-time alerts that notify users instantly.
- Alerts for new bills and updates.
- Notifications for committee hearings and vote changes.
- Updates on regulatory developments.
These alerts ensure teams never miss important information.
Key Benefits of AI-Powered Legislative Tracking
Real Time Monitoring and Alerts
AI enables continuous tracking across jurisdictions.
- Receive real-time alerts on bills and regulations.
- Stay informed about policy developments.
- Never miss important updates.
This ensures full visibility into legislative changes.
Predictive Insights for Decision-Making
AI uses data to generate ai powered insights.
- Forecast outcomes of bills.
- Identify policy changes early.
- Support informed decisions.
This helps organizations stay ahead of risks.
Improved Efficiency and Organization
Automation improves organization and workflow.
- Reduce manual tracking.
- Improve data accuracy.
- Generate report outputs faster.
Teams can work smarter and focus on strategy.
Enhanced Team Collaboration
Modern platforms improve team collaboration.
- Assign tasks to team members.
- Share updates with stakeholders and clients.
- Improve communication across teams.
This supports better coordination and execution.
Comprehensive Coverage Across Jurisdictions
AI tools provide comprehensive coverage of legislation.
- Track bills at the federal level and across jurisdictions.
- Monitor committees, hearings, and measures.
- Access centralized data.
This provides greater control over tracking activities.
How AI Enables Predictive Insights
Trend Identification
AI analyzes data to identify patterns in legislation.
- Track recurring measures.
- Monitor policy changes.
- Identify regulatory trends.
This improves understanding and helps teams anticipate future developments.
Outcome Prediction
AI models analyze data to predict outcomes.
- Estimate vote results.
- Analyze legislators and stakeholder positions.
- Evaluate opposition.
This strengthens decision-making and strategy.
Stakeholder Analysis
AI helps identify key stakeholders and relationships.
- Map connections between legislators and committees.
- Identify decision-makers.
- Support advocacy strategies.
This improves government relations efforts.
Use Cases of AI in Legislative Tracking
Government Agencies
Government agencies use tracking to monitor legislation and regulations.
- Track policy developments.
- Improve public services.
- Support compliance.
Legal Professionals
Legal teams rely on bill tracking and regulatory tracking.
- Analyze laws.
- Track changes in legislation.
- Support legal strategies.
Corporate Compliance Teams
Businesses use regulatory tracking to manage risk.
- Monitor regulations.
- Track policy changes.
- Stay ahead of compliance needs.
Advocacy Organizations
Advocacy groups rely on legislative tracking for advocacy efforts.
- Track bills and hearings.
- Engage stakeholders.
- Influence outcomes.
Challenges and Limitations
Data Quality Issues
Legislative data can be inconsistent across jurisdictions.
- Different formats for bills.
- Missing information.
- Inconsistent terminology.
This affects analysis accuracy.
Interpretation Limitations
AI improves understanding but cannot replace human judgment.
- Complex legal language requires review.
- Context matters in legislation.
Human expertise remains important.
Ethical and Privacy Concerns
AI systems must be used responsibly.
- Data bias risks.
- Transparency requirements.
- Privacy concerns.
Organizations must ensure ethical use.
Future Trends in Legislative Intelligence
Advanced Predictive Analytics
AI will continue to improve analysis capabilities.
- Real time forecasting of bills.
- Better risk assessment.
- Improved insights.
Integration with Big Data
Combining data sources improves understanding.
- Economic data.
- Social trends.
- Industry insights.
This enhances analysis and decision-making.
AI Powered Decision Support
Future platforms will provide automated insights.
- Recommendations based on data.
- Improved decision support.
This helps organizations stay ahead.
Global Legislative Monitoring
AI enables tracking across jurisdictions globally.
- Monitor international legislation.
- Track global regulations.
This supports global compliance strategies.
How to Choose the Right Legislative Tracking Platform
Key Features to Look For
- Real time alerts and email alerts.
- AI powered analysis and insights.
- Advanced reporting and dashboards.
Scalability and Integration
- Flexible access to data.
- Integration with existing systems.
- Ability to handle large data volumes.
User Experience and Collaboration
- Easy search functions.
- Clear report outputs.
- Ability to share updates with stakeholders and colleagues.
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends
Sen. John Cornyn is closing his Republican Senate primary campaign by warning that a Ken Paxton nomination could jeopardize GOP success across Texas in November, while Paxton allies argue he is best positioned to energize conservative turnout in a race highlighting competing strategies for maintaining Republican dominance statewide. In the Republican contest for Texas attorney general, the four leading candidates largely agreed on core conservative policies but used a recent forum to intensify clashes over experience, political loyalty, and campaign credibility. Meanwhile, Texas is emerging as a national testing ground for small modular nuclear reactors, with state leaders and private companies betting the technology can meet surging electricity demand.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends,
Early voting in Texas has surged past recent midterm and presidential benchmarks, with Democratic ballots currently outpacing Republican participation and fueling new debate over enthusiasm, turnout dynamics and what the numbers could signal for November. At the same time, the State Board of Education has approved more than 4,000 revisions to the state-developed Bluebonnet curriculum, reigniting scrutiny over oversight, taxpayer costs and how religion and American history are presented in public schools. Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott praised President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address and highlighted Texas’ alignment on border security, school choice and economic policy, underscoring the continued political partnership as Trump prepares to visit the state ahead of the primaries.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back friends
Sen. John Cornyn is closing his Republican Senate primary campaign by warning that a Ken Paxton nomination could jeopardize GOP success across Texas in November, while Paxton allies argue he is best positioned to energize conservative turnout in a race highlighting competing strategies for maintaining Republican dominance statewide. In the Republican contest for Texas attorney general, the four leading candidates largely agreed on core conservative policies but used a recent forum to intensify clashes over experience, political loyalty, and campaign credibility. Meanwhile, Texas is emerging as a national testing ground for small modular nuclear reactors, with state leaders and private companies betting the technology can meet surging electricity demand.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
Texas Political Spotlight
Welcome back, friends
A crowded Republican primary to replace U.S. Rep. Chip Roy is taking shape as former MLB star Mark Teixeira pours millions into his campaign and secures endorsements from President Trump and Gov. Abbott, positioning himself as the early frontrunner in a race that will likely decide the next representative for the solidly red district. At the same time, federal regulators have launched an inquiry into ABC’s The View after it interviewed Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing a Bastrop rendering plant over emissions described by residents as overwhelming and harmful, escalating a high-profile environmental dispute that has drawn hundreds of complaints and could result in significant penalties for the company.
We hope you enjoyed today’s read!
