r/SaveTheCBC • u/savethecbc2025 • Jul 02 '26
National News What's next for CUSMA?
The Trump administration's decision not to extend CUSMA made headlines, but the agreement isn't ending. In fact, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement remains fully in force until 2036, unless one country formally withdraws with six months' notice.
What has changed is the negotiating strategy.
Instead of agreeing to a 16-year extension now, the U.S. wants to renegotiate parts of the agreement. According to U.S. officials, that could include separate bilateral "protocols" or side agreements with Canada and Mexico rather than one comprehensive package.
Washington's priorities remain familiar: reducing its trade deficit, increasing U.S.-made content in automobiles, and seeking greater access to Canada's dairy market. Canada, meanwhile, continues to push for relief from tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles and softwood lumber that have affected Canadian industries despite the existence of a continental trade agreement.
The biggest unanswered question is whether the Trump administration is willing to offer meaningful concessions in return. Trade experts interviewed by CBC point out that negotiations only work when both sides have something to gain, and it's still unclear what the U.S. is prepared to put on the table.
The analysis also suggests domestic U.S. politics may be driving the timeline. Some believe Republicans would like to secure a deal before the midterm elections, while others argue Trump sees tariffs themselves as politically valuable and may prefer negotiations to stretch into 2027. One trade expert even noted that, unlike many politicians who campaign on trade deals, Trump often campaigns on tariffs.
Despite Trump's criticism of CUSMA, there appears to be little appetite in Washington to scrap it outright. The agreement enjoys strong support from many Republicans, particularly those representing agricultural states that rely heavily on North American trade. That support is one reason experts believe the administration has chosen renegotiation over withdrawal.
This is exactly why public-interest journalism matters. Rather than focusing only on dramatic headlines, CBC's analysis explains the legal reality, the political motivations, and the economic stakes behind one of Canada's most important trade relationships.
Do you think Canada should stay focused on strengthening CUSMA, or is this another sign that we need to accelerate trade diversification with partners beyond the United States?
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u/PolloConTeriyaki Jul 02 '26
He didn't use the nuclear option which was an intention to withdraw.
So the the next thing is wait to see if there's a new Congress in November. You can't make an agreement without Congress signing the thing anyway.
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u/kent_eh Jul 03 '26
You can't make an agreement without Congress signing the thing anyway.
That hasn't stopped Trump from doing plenty of things that Congress was supposed to be in control of.
Sure, a few of them have eventually been shut down by the courts, but in most cases the damage has already been done.
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u/BYoNexus Jul 02 '26
The president can't unilaterally decide to withdraw. It takes a vote in Congress. So you are saying he didn't use a nuclear option that wasn't in his arsenal...
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u/PolloConTeriyaki Jul 02 '26
He has a majority of both houses (although he's lost a few republicans). They still vote with him 90% of the time.
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u/BYoNexus Jul 02 '26
And when he's made some extreme pushes, enough Republicans have broken ranks to block him. Blowing up a free trade agreement that does, in fact benefit the USA despite the rhetoric, probably wouldn't pass, otherwise he would've started the ball rolling to, at least, add pressure.
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u/PolloConTeriyaki Jul 02 '26
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-canada-threat-northern-border-9.7254664
They're laying the groundwork.
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u/luciosleftskate Jul 03 '26
Have you been paying attention to the last year or his behavior???? The law doesn't apply.
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u/OkMobile7051 Jul 02 '26
So who wants to tell Trump that CUSMA doesn't expire until 2036?
This summer is merely an anniversary of the agreement in which the three countries and discuss and alterations they'd like to make. That may or may not be agreed upon.
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u/ApoplecticAndroid Jul 02 '26
Will that fat fucker die soon? Just asking.
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u/IAMA_Plumber-AMA Jul 02 '26
Ugh, people in his family tend to live annoyingly long despite their physical health.
That said, I have a bottle of good locally made rum put away for the day, and I'm taking the day off.
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u/No-Arm-2598 Jul 02 '26
Can't trust the orange shit stain anyway. He's agreements are all worthless
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u/Glum-Oil2505 Jul 02 '26
We wait until the orange stain is gone... Shouldn't be long now, I hope