U.S. Trade Representative Warns CUSMA Review Unlikely to Conclude by July 1 as Canada Falls Behind Mexico

U.S. Trade Rep Jamieson Greer warns that Canada is "behind" in CUSMA talks. Learn why the July 1 deadline for the trade deal review is at risk of being missed.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 6:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Global News

The Approaching July Deadline for Trade Renewal

The timeline for the mandatory review of the North American trade pact is facing significant delays as the United States signaled that a summer resolution is improbable. Speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer indicated that the July 1 target for approving the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is unlikely to be met. Under the terms of the agreement, the U.S. must declare by that date whether it intends to renew the deal as is or demand substantial modifications to address what the administration views as trade imbalances.

Canada Lags Behind in Tripartite Negotiations

The Trump administration has characterized the current state of talks as uneven, with Canada reportedly trailing its southern neighbor in reaching a consensus. Greer noted that while the United States has worked closely with Mexican officials over the past year to resolve various disputes, negotiations with Canada remain stalled on several key fronts. The Trade Representative previously informed Fox Business that talks with Mexico have moved along significantly, while Canada remains "behind" in the process, complicating the path to a trilateral agreement.

Friction Over "Buy Canadian" Policies and Tariffs

A primary point of contention for American negotiators involves regional protectionist measures that have emerged in response to U.S. trade actions. Greer specifically cited the refusal of certain Canadian provinces to sell American alcohol products as part of a "Buy Canadian" movement. This movement, which serves as a protest against U.S. tariffs, has frustrated the administration's efforts to secure what it defines as balanced trade. These localized trade barriers are being viewed by Washington as a breach of the spirit of the agreement, further deepening the rift between the two neighbors.