Lalo Solorzano Andy Shiles

Brenda Cordova, Partner, Córdoba Law Group (Mexico) Francisco Cordova, Partner, Córdoba Law Group (Mexico) Of Counsel to Braumiller Law Group (U.S.)

January 22, 2026

Approx. 50 minutes

Global Training Center

Mexico quietly flipped the switch on a major tariff regime change — and unlike past proposals, this one actually took effect on January 1. In this episode, Lalo and Andy are joined by Brenda and Francisco Cordova of Córdoba Law Group in Mexico to break down what’s happening, why it matters now, and how U.S. companies could be caught off guard if they’re not paying attention.

From new Mexican import tariffs ranging as high as 50%, to exemptions tied to free trade agreements, to the real-world impact on supply chains and pricing models, this conversation brings much-needed clarity to a fast-moving issue that many companies are only now discovering — after the law is already live.

If your business touches Mexico in any way, this is a must-listen.

• Mexico’s new tariff law effective January 1 — no prórroga, no delay

• Why this change surprised even seasoned trade professionals

• Tariff ranges reportedly spanning 15% to 50% across hundreds of tariff lines

• How free trade agreements factor into exemptions — and where they don’t

• What this means for companies relying on USMCA

• Why Mexico trade policy is now one of the hottest conference topics in the industry

• Practical considerations for importers, exporters, and compliance teams

Many companies assume Mexico policy changes follow long consultation periods or last-minute extensions. This time, that assumption was wrong.

Brenda and Francisco explain what changed, why it changed, and what companies should be doing right now — before costs, compliance issues, or operational disruptions escalate.

Hosts: Lalo Solorzano & Andy Shiles Guests: Brenda Cordova & Francisco Cordova Production: Simply Trade Podcast Team Presented by: Global Training Center

🎙 Simply Trade Podcast

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690

Hosts: Renee Chiuchiarelli Julie Parks

Series: Trade & Technology Episode: Tech Series – Episode 2a Format: Simply Trade Tips (Hammer & Heels) Length: ~10 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center

In this episode of Simply Trade Tips, Renee Chiuchiarelli and Julie Parks zoom out to look at the big picture of trade technology, focusing on two foundational elements: products and entities.

As companies face increasing scrutiny, data volume, and regulatory complexity, this conversation explores how trade technology can manage, automate, and store trade-critical data upstream—long before a “screaming shipment” hits the dock.

This episode builds on the Tech Series by explaining how trade professionals can move away from transaction-level firefighting and toward scalable, reusable, and compliant trade data frameworks.

Renee and Julie discuss how technology supports the sub-processes behind product-related trade decisions, including:

• Trade numbering (HS, Schedule B, ECCN, USML, CCCN)

• Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements

• Country of origin determination (especially critical in today’s tariff environment)

• Transaction value and valuation sub-processes

• Managing product attributes once so they can be reused across all transactions

The key takeaway: 👉 Trade data should live with the product — not be recreated for every shipment.

The conversation then shifts to entities and how technology can manage trade-related data that isn’t tied to a single order but affects every transaction:

• Restricted party screening (and why re-screening matters)

• Sanctions and due diligence

• Supply chain mapping and forced labor compliance

• Ownership, related-party indicators, and M&A activity

• Using technology to support CBP enforcement trends and data analytics

The message is clear: 👉 Entity-level data is foundational to modern trade compliance and enforcement readiness.

Julie and Renee emphasize that technology isn’t about replacing trade professionals — it’s about:

• Handling high data volumes efficiently

• Reducing manual, repetitive work

• Freeing up time for strategic trade decisions

• Creating a single source of truth for product and entity trade data

When trade answers are attached at the product and entity level, they flow automatically into every import and export transaction — improving consistency, compliance, and confidence.

Take time this week to:

1. Identify your biggest product or entity data challenges

2. Ask where trade answers (classification, origin, valuation, screening) currently live

3. Evaluate how well those answers are married to your product or entity data

4. Think about how that data could be reused — not re-created — across transactions

Then, bring your insights to the Trade Geeks Community and share what you’re discovering.

👉 Join the conversation here: Trade Geeks Community

Catch this episode on your favorite platform:

• YouTube

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

📅 New Simply Trade Tips episodes drop every Tuesday.

Hosts: Renee Chiuchiarelli Julie Parks

Producer: Lalo Solorzano

Presented by: Global Training Center — providing education, consulting, workshops, and compliance resources for trade professionals 👉 https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/?utm_source=SimplyTradePodcast

Episode: #423 Recorded: January 12, 2026 Length: ~40 minutes

• Lalo Solorzano, Co-Host, Simply Trade

• Andy Shiles, Co-Host, Simply Trade

• Bill Reinsch – Senior Adviser, CSIS | LinkedIn

• Scott Miller – Senior Adviser, CSIS | LinkedIn

• The Trade Guys Podcast – A CSIS Production | Podcast Page

Simply Trade kicks off 2026 with a special crossover episode featuring The Trade Guys, blending high-level trade policy analysis with real-world compliance and operational impact. Together, the group explores what’s already scheduled to happen in 2026 — without crystal-ball forecasting — focusing on four major global trade battlefronts that businesses must prepare for now.

From Supreme Court authority over tariffs to USMCA’s uncertain future, WTO dynamics, China’s global export strategy, and the erosion of de minimis, this episode connects policy decisions in Washington to the day-to-day realities faced by trade professionals.

• The looming IEEPA Supreme Court decision and what it could mean for tariff authority

• Why a “split decision” could prolong uncertainty — especially around refunds

• Whether Congress is prepared (or willing) to reassert its constitutional role in trade

• Why the U.S. still needs the WTO — even if it dislikes multilateralism

• The critical importance of the e-commerce tariff moratorium

• How upcoming WTO Ministerial discussions may quietly shape U.S. trade strategy

• “Managed separation” between the U.S. and China

• Why Chinese exports aren’t disappearing — they’re redirecting

• How Mexico, the EU, and others are responding to China’s manufacturing surge

• Why a full withdrawal is unlikely — but renegotiation is inevitable

• Scenarios ranging from bilateral deals to a 10-year extension cycle

• The growing compliance burden for companies relying on USMCA benefits

• How de minimis once saved the customs system — and why its rollback matters

• Enforcement whiplash: seizures, investigations, and system congestion

• Why “fixing abuse” shouldn’t mean breaking the entire system

• Practical advice on engaging Congress before policies are announced

• Why explaining trade in plain language to elected officials matters

• The role of industry groups like NCBFAA and initiatives such as ADAPT

• Trade policy uncertainty isn’t going away — it’s becoming the norm

• Compliance professionals will increasingly absorb the shockwaves of policy decisions

• Engagement, education, and advocacy are no longer optional for global businesses

• The Trade Guys Podcast (CSIS): https://www.csis.org/podcasts/trade-guys

• Hosts: Lalo Solorzano & Andy Shiles

• Guest Hosts: Bill Reinsch & Scott Miller (The Trade Guys)

• Produced by: Global Training Center

• Podcast: Simply Trade

• Simply Trade Podcast Website: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@simplytradepod

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690