Stories

Thu, 02 Jul 2026

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 Why the expected fight over the North American trade deal never kicked off

The US has confirmed it will not extend the agreement for another 16 years, but stopped short of more dramatic action.

* The USMCA (US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement) was expected to be a contentious issue in Washington this spring and summer, but has been overshadowed by the conflict with Iran.
* The US has announced it will not extend the agreement for another 16 years, but stopped short of more dramatic action such as withdrawing from the pact.
* US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer believes the White House's tariff strategy has already reshaped North America's economic ties, making a confrontational approach unnecessary.
* The decision not to renew the pact has started a 10-year countdown, with no extension agreed by then resulting in the USMCA expiring.
* Annual reviews and steady diplomacy have replaced the brinkmanship many once expected, with substantive discussions now taking place over current US tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, autos, and lumber.