This webinar kicked off our USMCA Review Series programming for 2026, building off the launch of the series in 2025. We go over what we’ve learned so far from the USTR hearings and stakeholder engagement, how key sectors are positioning themselves ahead of the review, and what the review process could mean for companies, consumers, workers, and the North American economy.
Featured Speakers:
Everett Eissenstat, Partner, Public Policy Practice Group, Squire Patton Boggs; former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director, National Economic Council; former Assistant USTR for the Americas
Nancy Martinez, Director, Public Policy, Trade and Biotechnology, National Corn Growers Association
Tiffany Melvin, President, North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO)
Mayur Patel, Partner, Hogan Lovells; former Chief International Trade Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
Salvatore (Sal) Vetrini, Senior Counsel, FedEx Corporation
Moderator: Rory Heslington, Vice President of Government Affairs, Autos Drive America
Speaker Biographies
Everett Eissenstat, Partner, Public Policy Practice Group, Squire Patton Boggs; former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director, National Economic Council; former Assistant USTR for the Americas
Everett Eissenstat is a partner in the Public Policy Practice Group. Everett is one of the nation’s foremost global trade experts having served in senior positions in Congress, the Office of the US Trade Representative, the White House and a Fortune 50 company. He helps clients manage and mitigate geopolitical risk, influence international economic policy-making, and develop and execute successful international trade and investment strategies.
During a distinguished government career spanning over two decades, Everett served as deputy assistant to the president for international economic affairs and deputy director of the National Economic Council. Reporting to the president, the national security advisor and the director of the National Economic Council, he coordinated interagency policy development and implementation on international economic policy matters. He served as the president’s personal representative and principal negotiator to the G7, G20 and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economic summits and led interagency preparations for all international summits.
Previously, Everett held key roles in the US House, Senate and the Office of the US Trade Representative. As the chief international trade counsel to the chairman of the US Senate Finance Committee (2011-2017 (under Sen. Orrin Hatch) and 2001-2006 (under Sen. Chuck Grassley)), Everett built and led professional international trade policy teams for two chairmen. He advised the chairmen on all international trade matters before the committee and coordinated the international trade work of the Finance Committee Republicans. His legislative responsibilities included Trade Promotion Authority, US Customs authorization, implementation of free trade agreements, preferential trade arrangements and sanctions policy. He was also responsible for the oversight of US government international trade agencies and international trade negotiations.
During his tenure as chief international trade counsel, Everett negotiated and helped gain congressional approval of the Trade Act of 2002 and the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015. He also gained approval of legislation implementing bilateral trade agreements with Australia, Chile, Colombia, Jordan, Morocco, Korea, Panama and Singapore, as well as the Dominican Republic-Central America-US-Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA).
As assistant US trade representative for the Americas (2006-2011), Everett led negotiations of comprehensive bilateral free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Peru, as well as the entry into force of DR-CAFTA, a plurilateral trade agreement with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, he led negotiation of the US-Brazil Framework Agreement, the US-Canada Government Procurement Agreement and the US-Uruguay Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
Everett also served as legislative director for Rep. Jim Kolbe, where he advised the congressman on international trade matters, appropriations and foreign affairs. He also served as special assistant in the Office of the Western Hemisphere at the Office of the USTR. Everett also served as a member of the 2000 Presidential Transition Team for the Office of the US Trade Representative, the US Department of Commerce Office of Import Administration and the International Trade Commission.
Everett most recently served as chair of North America and global trade lead at a boutique global public relations consultancy firm. He was senior vice president at a multinational automotive manufacturer (2018-2021) reporting to the CEO and managing over 100 public policy professionals worldwide. He helped navigate a range of challenges, including labor relations, supply chain disruptions and the regulatory and compliance implications of transitioning from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles.
Nancy Martinez, Director, Public Policy, Trade and Biotechnology, National Corn Growers Association
Nancy Martinez is currently Director of Public Policy – Trade and Biotechnology at the National Corn Growers Association. Previously, she spent over a decade as a policy staffer on Capitol Hill, most recently as Policy Advisor for Senator Todd Young of Indiana. Senator Young currently serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee and she handled the trade portfolio as well as agriculture, education, labor, and pensions issues. Nancy first began working for then-Congressman Young in 2013 before joining Senator Coats’ staff in 2015 to work on health care and education policy. She is from the west side of Indianapolis and graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in political science and religious studies. Nancy lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and children.
Tiffany Melvin, President, North American Strategy for Competitiveness (NASCO)
Tiffany has led NASCO since its inception – first as the Executive Director and then as its President. Under her visionary leadership, and with the dedication of the NASCO team, the organization has evolved into a highly respected force in freight logistics and workforce development across North America. She leads NASCO with a passionate, forward-thinking, cooperative approach that addresses critical challenges in the efficient, secure, and sustainable movement of goods throughout the continent.
She encourages and facilitates authentic, impactful connections within the NASCO network to create a foundation for effective communication, increased engagement, and shared goals, leading to enhanced personal and professional growth.
Tiffany is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, holding a BBA in International Business, with minors in Marketing and Spanish. She received her Juris Doctor degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio in 1995 and is a certified mediator and arbitrator.
Mayur Patel, Partner, Hogan Lovells; former Chief International Trade Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Finance
Mayur Patel is a partner in the International Trade and Investment practice at Hogan Lovells. Based in Washington, D.C., Mayur advises clients on navigating complex international trade and regulatory landscapes, leveraging extensive government and private practice experience to deliver strategic counsel.
Previously, Mayur was Chief International Trade Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, advising Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID), former Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and other Republican members on international economic policy. He led the Committee’s trade policy agenda and oversight of agencies including the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Department of Commerce, and International Trade Commission.
At USTR, Mayur represented the U.S. in high-stakes World Trade Organization disputes and was lead counsel for chapters of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). He successfully challenged trade barriers from China and India, securing enhanced U.S. market access.
His private practice experience includes trade compliance, regulatory strategy, internal investigations, and commercial litigation across courts, arbitration panels, and government enforcement. He received the Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Publico Award for criminal appellate work.
Recognized for exceptional contributions, Mayur holds multiple USTR Extraordinary Performance Awards and the American National Standards Institute’s Next Generation Award. His deep relationships with policymakers uniquely position him to help clients effectively navigate evolving trade challenges.
Salvatore (Sal) Vetrini, Senior Counsel, FedEx Corporation
Salvatore (Sal) Vetrini is a Senior Counsel at FedEx Corporation based in Washington, DC, where his portfolio focuses on a variety of international regulatory issues. In particular, his work focuses on matters involving international trade, customs, and postal regulation. Prior to FedEx, Sal was a senior attorney in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Chief Counsel.
Moderator: Rory Heslington, Vice President of Government Affairs, Autos Drive America
Rory Heslington joined Autos Drive America as Vice President of Government Affairs in August 2021.
In his role, he spearheads the Association’s legislative and policy agenda on a range of issues impacting the automotive manufacturing industry.
Heslington is widely recognized as a trade policy expert. He previously served as International Trade Policy Advisor to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance under Chairman Chuck Grassley. Joining the Finance Committee in 2015, Heslington advised on international trade policy that included trade negotiations, supply-chains, e-commerce, and customs. Prior to joining the committee, Rory spent 13 years in the private sector managing market research studies and working for a leadership development training firm.
Rory earned his M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a B.S. in Political Science and International Relations from Utah Valley University.
Thank you to our USMCA Review Series Sponsors
