By Scout Nelson
Business leaders, policymakers, and trade professionals gathered in Fargo, North Dakota, on June 4, 2026, for the 2026 Global Business Connections Conference. Hosted by the North Dakota Trade Office at the Holiday Inn Fargo, the event focused on trade, investment, market access, and changes affecting the global business environment.
During the conference, Carlos Zurita from North Dakota State University’s Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics presented research titled “U.S. Trade Integration Outlook: Opportunities and Challenges for North Dakota.” The presentation was co-authored with Dr. Sandro Steinbach and explored how current and future trade agreements may affect businesses, exporters, and importers across the United States and North Dakota.
Zurita explained that modern trade agreements now cover much more than tariff reductions. Many agreements include rules related to investment, services, intellectual property, environmental standards, competition policies, and regulatory cooperation. These provisions help businesses reduce trade barriers, improve efficiency, and participate more effectively in global supply chains.
“Trade agreements today are no longer just about tariffs. They increasingly shape how businesses navigate standards, investment decisions, supply chains, and long-term market access,” Zurita said.
The presentation also reviewed several important international trade topics. These included the upcoming 2026 review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), trade opportunities between the United States and the European Union, and recent developments involving trade relations between the United States and China.
In addition, the discussion explored broader policy questions about whether the United States should pursue new trade agreements, which countries should be prioritized, and what provisions should be included in future negotiations. The presentation emphasized that these decisions depend on national goals such as improving competitiveness, expanding market access, and influencing global trade rules.
These issues are especially important for North Dakota because agriculture and exports play a major role in the state’s economy. Farmers, producers, and exporters continue to face changing regulations, shifting global demand, and evolving market conditions.
The session highlighted the importance of flexible trade strategies and ongoing attention to international agreements. It also contributed to larger conference discussions about market access, trade policy uncertainty, and future opportunities that may support business growth and export success throughout North Dakota.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, Business