AGP Executive Report

USMCA Uncertainty: The Trump administration says it won’t renew the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement in its current form, citing trade imbalances and regulatory gaps, triggering an annual review process while the pact stays in force as talks are set for late July—raising job and cost concerns across North America. Germany Coaching Shake-Up: After Germany’s World Cup last-32 exit, Julian Nagelsmann resigned and Jurgen Klopp is now the clear frontrunner for the Germany job, a major HR/leadership ripple for elite football management. Immigration Legal Fraud Case: A Washington attorney is accused of exploiting immigrants seeking US legal status by filing fake abuse and trafficking claims without clients’ knowledge, with lawsuits alleging a large-scale scheme that drained bank accounts and increased deportation risk. Venezuela Earthquake Response: Venezuela’s interim president rejects claims of a slow disaster response as officials and volunteers race to identify thousands of victims amid criticism over delays and missing heavy equipment. Workplace & Hiring Angle: UK World Cup match rules allow pubs to stay open until 5am, but staffing and late-night work pressures are already shaping how employers plan schedules.

Manufacturing & Hiring: East West Manufacturing said it’s buying Vexos, boosting engineering and electronics manufacturing capacity across the Americas and Asia, with Vexos’ footprint in the US, Canada, Mexico, China and Vietnam. Labor Compliance: Washington state labor officials cited a Moxee farm-labor contractor for violations affecting more than 1,000 workers, including incomplete job and pay disclosures, missing pay-statement proof, and transport without required insurance. Disaster Relief & Workplace Giving: MLB and the MLB Players Association donated $1M to the Red Cross for Venezuela earthquake response, and the Orioles Foundation will match employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. Justice Integrity Screening: The Law of Enforcement Council found screening of justice personnel in the Caribbean Netherlands falls short, creating integrity risks and vulnerabilities. Immigration & Work Impacts: Reports say 55 Kenyans returned from South Africa after xenophobic attacks threatened their livelihoods and safety. STEM Access: California’s Cal-Bridge program is expanding support for underrepresented STEM students, pairing mentorship and funding to help more students reach doctorate paths.

Immigration & HR Compliance: The U.S. detained Cuban citizens after revoking legal status tied to ICAP, a sanctioned cultural/research group—an immigration case that raises new compliance questions for employers and institutions working with international networks. Security Cooperation: Uruguay and Chile agreed to coordinate against transnational organized crime, signing steps on digital signatures and diplomatic academy cooperation—signals of tighter cross-border coordination that can affect regional hiring and mobility. Labor & Wellbeing: An HR consultant urged workers across the region to stop feeling guilty about prioritizing mental health, warning that burnout often builds quietly before it becomes unmanageable. Trade & Jobs Risk: The U.S. refused to extend USMCA in its current form, moving toward annual reviews or a refreshed deal—potential knock-on effects for employment in Mexico and Canada-linked supply chains. Coaching & Talent Management: Japan’s Hajime Moriyasu is reportedly set for a possible one-year extension after a World Cup exit, highlighting how federations manage leadership continuity under performance pressure. Disaster Response & Community Support: U.S. Urban Search and Rescue K-9 teams offered comfort in Venezuela after twin earthquakes, underscoring the growing role of cross-border responders and volunteer networks in crisis staffing.

USMCA Shock for Jobs: The U.S. won’t extend the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact, opting for annual reviews instead—raising uncertainty for automakers, farmers, and cross-border production and putting jobs at risk across North America. Trade-Tariff Ripple Effects: Tariff talk around steel and aluminum keeps rattling markets and prompting retaliation, with economists warning of broader economic harm. Venezuela Earthquake Response & Work Impact: After back-to-back quakes, the U.S. says it’s seeing “total compliance” from Venezuela’s interim authorities on humanitarian requests, while experts point to building-code, maintenance, and soil factors behind widespread collapses. Humanitarian Fundraising in Sports: The Atlanta Braves Foundation is matching fan donations for Venezuela earthquake relief, turning baseball fandom into direct support. Brazil Circular Economy Push: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is partnering with Recife and major brands (Mars, Nestlé, Unilever, PepsiCo) to unlock €50M+ for collection and recycling systems, aiming to shape national policy. Colombia Exports Branding: The Colombia Avocado Board launched “Avocados from Colombia” in the U.S., backed by record shipment growth and new promotional resources. Workplace Policy Watch: Ohio’s Haitian community groups say the end of TPS is hitting hiring and stability, while a U.S. Supreme Court ruling limits challenges to TPS terminations—raising HR and legal stakes for employers.

USMCA Renewal Talks: The U.S., Canada and Mexico are starting “bumpy” negotiations to renew the North American trade pact, with auto production and other demands likely to keep the process messy for months. Workforce & Hiring Pressure: A new IRU report flags a worsening global driver shortage, including in Brazil and Mexico, as recruitment difficulties threaten transport capacity and supply-chain reliability. Corporate Restructuring: British American Tobacco plans major job cuts as it ramps up AI-led restructuring, signaling more pressure on HR teams across the region. Labor Market Signals: Colombia’s unemployment fell to 8% in May, its lowest since late 2025—an encouraging datapoint for hiring outlooks. Digital & Operations Tech: SmartKargo launched a mobile cargo app for Akasa Air Cargo, pushing mobile-first shipment management that could reshape roles for logistics teams. Disaster Response & HR: Venezuela’s earthquake relief continues amid missing people and strained logistics, with staffing and coordination challenges for aid organizations. Sports Leadership Turnover: Ecuador’s coach Sebastian Beccacece resigned after a World Cup exit—another reminder of how fast leadership roles can change.

World Cup & Work-Life Culture: Brazil kept its World Cup job alive with a 95th-minute Martinelli winner over Japan, a reminder that pressure-cooker performance still depends on smart coaching and fresh talent. Energy & Jobs: Trinidad and Tobago’s energy talks are getting messy after Methanex said it will idle its Titan methanol plant, with the government saying negotiations with Venezuela are affecting timelines. Immigration & Legal Status: Spain’s migrant regularisation drive topped one million applications, mostly from Latin America, as people seek legal work and stability. Labor Reform: Rio bus drivers protested for better pay and a push toward a five-day workweek, part of a wider effort to guarantee two days off. Anti-Crime & Cross-Border Finance: The U.S. Treasury targeted CJNG-linked fuel smuggling and tax evasion schemes, signaling more pressure on financial flows tied to cartels. Equity & Inclusion: CARICOM plans a regional meeting on discrimination against Rastafarians, including barriers in education, employment, and public life. Corporate HR Signals: British American Tobacco plans major job cuts tied to AI-driven restructuring, adding to the region’s ongoing shift in hiring and roles.

Work & Migration: Spain’s mass migrant regularisation closes Tuesday, with hundreds of thousands of Latin American applicants scrambling for work-and-residence paperwork after admissibility checks. Youth Entrepreneurship: South Africa highlights how government support can help rural youth-owned firms create jobs, using a tea producer as a case study. Regional Politics & Trade: Mercosur’s 68th summit in Paraguay spotlights deep fault lines as Argentina’s Milei skips the meeting, while bloc leaders push external deals. AI & Hiring: Nexaryon launches an enterprise AI computing platform and expands into Latin America, naming Mexico as a regional data-center hub. Agritech Jobs: Tropic buys Rahan Meristem to scale gene-edited banana varieties across banana-growing regions, aiming to cut disease losses and waste. Disaster & Workforce Impact: Venezuela’s twin earthquakes keep driving urgent relief and displacement, including cases of deportees killed hours later and ongoing aid shipments. Labor Market Shock: British American Tobacco plans major job cuts as it shifts operations toward AI and smoke-free products. Career Trends: A Remitly study finds virtual assistant work has overtaken doctor as Filipinos’ top “dream job,” reflecting the pull of flexible digital careers.

Restructuring & Jobs (BAT): British American Tobacco is rolling out its Fit2Win transformation, aiming for about £600M in annual cost savings by 2028, with role transfers to partners (including Accenture) and consultations across multiple countries; changes are expected to be finalized by year-end 2026. Workforce & Rights (Mexico gig workers): App drivers and delivery workers in Mexico staged a work stoppage demanding fair pay, fewer deactivations, and a collective agreement; Mexico’s 2024 labor reform recognizes app workers as employees, but access to benefits remains out of reach for many. Immigration & Legal Status (US TPS): A Supreme Court ruling lets the Trump administration move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status for Haiti and Syria, putting the status of about 270,000 people at risk and signaling more TPS cuts could follow. Corporate Accountability (Mexico Pemex abuse video): Mexico’s Sheinbaum said she will not “protect anyone” after a video surfaced alleging violent abuse by former Pemex head Victor Rodriguez, adding that he won’t take another government role. Regional Leadership (Eastern Caribbean): Antigua and Barbuda’s PM Gaston Browne took over the OECS chairmanship, focusing on integration, climate resilience, and digital transformation. Sports & Talent (Brazil-Japan): Gabriel Martinelli scored a late winner as Brazil beat Japan to reach the World Cup last 16, setting a record for the latest knockout winning goal before extra time.

Job Security in State Sector: Indonesia says its plan to shrink state-owned enterprises to 250–300 won’t mean layoffs for workers. Workforce Disruption in Finance: Caribbean unions warn fintech firms are moving into banking without the same taxes and regulation as traditional banks, raising fears of job displacement. Public Works Integrity: Antigua and Barbuda’s opposition senator questions whether road resurfacing is being done properly—or repeatedly to profit contractors—calling for stronger oversight. AI-Driven Restructuring: British American Tobacco plans to cut about 9,000 jobs as it shifts toward “technology enabled” operations and AI-backed outsourcing. Payroll Community Building: ProHRPay Consulting launches a Middle East Payroll Association chapter as payroll roles move from operations to strategic workforce support. ESG Coworking Expansion: The Work Project signs to open a third London location in a net-zero office, adding 26,000 sq ft of flexible workspace. Disaster & Safety Focus: A civil engineering expert links Venezuela’s earthquake building collapses to multiple factors—construction age, maintenance, soil effects, and shallow quake impacts—highlighting why safer design and codes matter for workers and communities.

Coaching Shake-Up: South Korea’s head coach Hong Myung-bo resigned after the team’s World Cup group-stage exit, with President Lee Jae Myung demanding a government investigation into the hiring process and calling out “incompetent” leadership. Scotland Job Search: Scotland’s Steve Clarke stepped down after failing to reach the Round of 32, and the Scottish FA says applications came in within hours as it starts a “nothing’s off the table” search for a successor ahead of Nations League matches. Venezuela Quake Relief Politics: Reports say the government is accused of politicizing earthquake response, as disputes over donation and relief control play out amid a widening humanitarian crisis. Venezuela Rescue Hopes Fade: Late rescues offered brief hope, but officials warned survival odds are dropping days after twin quakes left thousands missing. Work & AI Anxiety: A U.S.-focused piece explores why Americans are more uneasy about AI than many other regions, linking fears to jobs and the energy demands of data centers.

World Cup Careers & HR Signals: South Korea’s elimination has sparked renewed scrutiny of the Korea Football Association, with rival parties calling for a parliamentary probe into governance and coaching decisions after questions over tactics and accountability. Coaching Turnover: Scotland’s Steve Clarke resigned after the World Cup group-stage exit, ending a seven-year tenure and reopening debate over leadership and performance expectations. Talent & Workforce Planning: A report on tech layoffs highlights older workers “tapping out” early via buyouts or retirement plans, reflecting burnout, ageism fears, and shifting career strategies. Disaster Relief & Staffing Needs: Venezuela earthquake survivors in La Guaira face severe shortages of water, medicine, and basic supplies, underscoring urgent logistics and volunteer coordination. Regional Labor/Access Angle: A higher-education webinar argues the key to widening student access is eliminating financial barriers through affordable aid mechanisms.

Immigration & Benefits: In Arizona, immigrant families tied to U.S. refugee resettlement are losing food aid after Trump-era restrictions cut eligibility for SNAP and other supports, with one state seeing a reported 47% drop. Labor & Wages: Los Angeles airport and hotel workers face delayed pay gains as the city pushes back the “Olympic wage” timeline to 2030, raising concerns for workers trying to reunite families. Disaster Relief & HR Impact: Venezuela’s earthquake response keeps straining systems as death tolls surpass 900 and tens of thousands remain missing, driving urgent staffing and logistics needs for relief teams. Regional Integration: Jamaica’s PM Holness highlights CARICOM as a key platform for development and multilateral cooperation, pointing to new partnership opportunities across the Caribbean. World Cup & Work Culture: Brazil’s Round of 32 clash with Japan is framed as a test of Ancelotti’s rebuilding—another reminder of how major tournaments reshape hiring, training, and mobility across the region.

World Cup Careers & HR Spotlight: Cape Verde made history by becoming the smallest nation to reach the Round of 32, earning a knockout clash with Argentina and Messi after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia—an underdog story that will likely boost scouting, sponsorship interest, and player pathways across the region. Immigration Policy & Workforce Impact: The U.S. Supreme Court backed Trump’s ability to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) early, raising alarms among Haitian-support nonprofits and employers about direct-care staffing gaps and broader economic strain. Venezuela Disaster & Talent Mobilization: After twin earthquakes, Venezuela’s death toll climbed above 900 with tens of thousands missing; relief is slow in hard-hit areas like La Guaira, while diaspora and local groups in New York are organizing donations and support. Tech & Jobs: Agility Robotics plans to go public via a merger valuing it at $2.5B, with commercial humanoid warehouse robots already in use—potential hiring signals for Latin America-linked customers like Mercado Libre. Labor & Industry: Brazil’s unemployment rate fell to a record 5.6% (quarter ending May), a rare bright spot for hiring conditions.

USMNT Coaching Deal: Mauricio Pochettino and U.S. Soccer have reportedly had positive talks on extending his contract through the 2030 World Cup, with a decision expected after the tournament. Venezuela Earthquake Aftermath: Twin quakes in Venezuela have pushed deaths to 920 and injuries to 3,360, with tens of thousands still missing as rescue teams race through rubble. Brazil Jobs Snapshot: Brazil’s unemployment rate fell to a record 5.6% in the quarter ending May, with 6.1 million unemployed and employment rising to 102.7 million. Immigration Policy Shock: The U.S. Supreme Court ruling allows Trump to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, with Florida expected to be hit hardest. LATAM Hiring & Platforms: El Salvador launched Servicio Pro, a home-services marketplace connecting homeowners with verified local professionals, aiming to expand across the region. Workplace/HR Compliance Angle: A Florida detention-center closure is prompting calls for an independent investigation into environmental damage, adding pressure on oversight and accountability.

World Cup Careers & Pay: International fans at the 2026 tournament are pushing back on mandatory tipping in U.S. bars and restaurants, arguing employers should pay workers fairly. Venezuela Disaster Response: Twin earthquakes have devastated Venezuela, with hospitals overwhelmed by injured children and families searching for missing relatives amid shortages of equipment. Corporate Leadership in LATAM: BHP is reshaping its executive structure, splitting the President Americas role into North America and South America ahead of CEO Brandon Craig’s start, with added focus on contractor safety. Energy & Jobs: A Baker Hughes deal with a geothermal developer aims to scale baseload geothermal power in North America, driven by electrification and AI demand. Sports Talent Spotlight (LATAM): Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior surged with four goals in the tournament after scoring twice vs. Scotland, while Australia advanced to the Round of 32 after a goalless draw with Paraguay.

Disaster Response in Venezuela: Twin earthquakes have devastated Caracas and the coast, with reports of at least 32 dead and 700+ injured, while residents in La Guaira say rescue efforts are hampered by a lack of equipment like backhoes and tractors—an HR-and-workforce angle for emergency staffing and logistics. Immigration & Work Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians, putting thousands in Ohio and about 350,000 nationwide at risk of losing work authorization, as advocacy groups push for passports and legal guardianships. Labor Market Signals (Canada): Deloitte warns Canada’s economy is “on pause” as CUSMA uncertainty weighs on business investment, with the labor market still weak. Skills & Hiring Trends: Randstad flags a hiring surge for AI trainer roles, pointing to a shift from experimentation to scaling. Regional Energy Jobs: A new outlook highlights how East Texas lithium interest could drive investment and employment, echoing broader LatAm battery-supply opportunities. Workplace Compliance: A DHS inspector general report says poor cybersecurity practices by Secret Service agents left officials at risk.