By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
Canada and Mexico have urged the United States to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement for another 16 years, as uncertainty grows over the future of the North American trade pact under the Trump administration.
Canada’s minister responsible for US trade, Dominic LeBlanc, made the request in a letter to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexico’s Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard. Mexico also backed the proposal, saying the extension would provide certainty for trade and investment across North America.
The USMCA, which replaced NAFTA in 2020, is due for a formal review by July 1, 2026. If the three countries agree, the pact can be extended for another 16 years; if not, it could face annual reviews, creating uncertainty for businesses and investors.
LeBlanc said the agreement had benefited all three countries, noting that trilateral trade had increased since the pact came into force. He, however, said Canada wants the issue of US sector-specific tariffs addressed as part of the process.
The renewal push comes amid strained relations between Ottawa and Washington. Trump has repeatedly questioned the relevance of the agreement and has imposed tariffs on key Canadian sectors, including autos, steel and aluminium.
Mexico’s Economy Secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, said Mexico also supports a 16-year extension, stressing that the trade pact remains important for regional stability and economic growth.
The coming weeks are expected to determine whether the three countries move toward a simple renewal or a broader renegotiation of the agreement.
— Newspot Nigeria
