US to Pursue USMCA Changes Ahead of July 1 Deadline

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated on Tuesday that the Trump administration intends to pursue modifications to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as USMCA in the United States and CUSMA in Canada, rather than simply renewing it without changes. Speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, Greer emphasized that negotiations are underway to address ongoing issues, though a full resolution by the July 1 deadline appears unlikely.

The agreement, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement in 2020, is undergoing a mandatory review. Under its terms, each country must decide by July 1 whether to renew the pact for another 16 years, withdraw, or opt for modifications that could extend discussions through annual reviews for up to a decade. Greer indicated the United States will notify Canada and Mexico of its decision to seek changes, triggering a period of bilateral and potentially trilateral talks. "Things have to be changed," Greer said, citing public comments from stakeholders that highlighted shortcomings in moving away from NAFTA-era problems.

Formal negotiations with Mexico began last month, focusing on structural differences such as...