U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Canada has been uncooperative in the ongoing review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The talks, originally designed as a trilateral process, have fractured into separate bilateral negotiations. That shift, combined with a new annual review mechanism, is injecting lasting uncertainty into North American trade.
Why the talks broke apart
The USMCA review was supposed to happen every six years as a joint assessment. Instead, the U.S. is now pursuing separate deals with Mexico and Canada. Greer’s blunt assessment of Canada’s stance underscores the friction. He didn’t detail specific Canadian actions, but the characterization signals a breakdown in the trilateral approach that had been the backbone of the agreement since it replaced NAFTA in 2020.
Annual reviews add a new layer of risk
The shift to bilateral talks comes alongside a new feature: annual reviews. Under the original USMCA, the three countries would conduct a joint review every six years. Now, each country can request a review every year. That means the agreement’s terms could be reopened annually, creating a rolling cycle of uncertainty. For businesses that operate across borders, the lack of a stable, multiyear framework makes long-term planning difficult.
Industries feel the strain
Industries that depend on deep North American integration are directly affected. Auto manufacturers, which rely on supply chains that cross all three countries, face the biggest challenge. Agricultural exporters and energy producers also have a lot at stake. The uncertainty makes it harder to decide where to build new factories, sign long-term supply contracts, or invest in cross-border logistics. Companies are watching closely but can’t get clear answers.
Canada hasn’t responded publicly to Greer’s comments. The U.S. continues its separate talks with Mexico. The first annual review under the new system is expected later this year. Until then, the trade landscape remains unsettled.
