United States Demands USMCA Changes Amid Canadian Trade Tensions

The United States has established a set of specific demands for the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), signaling that the current deal will not be approved without modifications. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the agreement is not an "unqualified success," arguing that the U.S. has not yet achieved its goals for strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity and job creation.

Primary U.S. demands include requiring Canada to open its dairy market to American farmers, modifying online streaming laws that impact U.S. technology companies, and lifting provincial bans on American spirits. Greer also highlighted discriminatory procurement practices in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec, as well as the unfair treatment of Montana power providers in Alberta.

These demands follow a 35% import duty imposed by President Donald Trump on Canadian goods falling outside the USMCA. According to the International Monetary Fund, these tariffs have already slowed Canadian exports and business investment. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has informed provincial and territorial leaders that his objective for the formal talks next year is to protect Canada's economic interests.