; (B) the advanced state of the economies of those countries as determined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and (C) the comparatively small nature of the populations and economies of those countries; and (7) the United States, working closely with USMCA countries and other free trade agreement partners in the Western Hemisphere, should study the potential benefits of aligning rules of origin and allowing for cumulation in strategically selected sectors. (b) Development of accession mechanism (1) In general The United States Trade Representative, in conducting the periodic review of the USMCA required to be conducted in 2026, may seek agreement with USMCA countries to develop a mechanism for accession of additional countries to the USMCA. (2) Treatment of CAFTA–DR countries (A) Rules of origin for textile and apparel goods For purposes of the accession to the USMCA pursuant to the mechanism developed under paragraph (1) of any CAFTA–DR country, the rules of origin under CAFTA–DR for textile and apparel goods shall remain in place for that country during— (i) the 5-year period following formal accession of that country to the USMCA