University of Georgia School of Law Professor Desirée LeClercq testified before the United States International Trade Commission hearing on the United States Mexico Agreement (USMCA) Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2025 Report earlier this month.

During this hearing, LeClercq presented her empirical study examining the effects of the USMCA Rapid Response Mechanism on workers in the Mexican auto sector. Current 3L Gloria Maria Correa assisted LeClercq in researching for this report. The abstract from the pre-hearing brief is as follows:

This pre-hearing brief is a submission to the U.S. International Trade Commission in relation to its investigation on the USMCA Automotive Rules of Origin: Economic Impact and Operation, 2025 Report. This investigation is a useful exercise and an opportunity to provide information about a recent study, entitled “Enforcement of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) Rapid Response Mechanism: Views from Mexican Auto Sector Workers,” conducted at Cornell University to help inform the Commission’s assessment. This study explores whether efforts under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Facility-Specific Labor Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) are leveling the playing field between U.S. and Mexican auto facilities by strengthening the labor rights of workers in the Mexican auto sector.

Desirée LeClercq joined the University of Georgia School of Law in 2024 as an assistant professor. She teaches International Trade and Workers Rights, International Labor Law, International Law and U.S. Labor Law. She also serves as a faculty co-director of the Dean Rusk International Law Center and as the faculty adviser for the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law.