U.S. Advances Trade Talks With Mexico While Canada Lags

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced on March 18, 2026, that formal negotiations to review the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) are advancing with Mexico but lagging with Canada. Greer met with Mexico's Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard to discuss tightening rules of origin to prevent Mexico from becoming a transshipment hub for goods from China or Vietnam.

While Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with Greer in Washington on March 6 and Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with President Donald Trump on March 8, the U.S. has not yet announced formal negotiations with Canada. Greer cited Canadian provincial bans on U.S. alcohol as a barrier to progress. Relations have further deteriorated as the U.S. launched Section 301 investigations into Canada and 59 other nations over forced labor in supply chains.

Vice President JD Vance intensified the friction in Auburn Hills, Michigan, by alleging that Canada takes advantage of the U.S. and criticizing the country's military spending. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has questioned the relevance of CUSMA and suggested replacing the trilateral pact with separate bilateral agreements. Canada and Mexico have both expressed a preference for maintaining the three-way agreement before the critical decision deadline in July 2026, when the nations must decide whether to renew the pact for 16 years or withdraw.