Trump trade czar hints at interim CUSMA options by year's end amid tariff threats
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a Senate hearing Wednesday he hopes to present "options" for renewing the continental trade deal as Trump threatens 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods.
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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Wednesday he hopes to present "options" by year's end to President Donald Trump, Canada, and Mexico for renewing or restructuring the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
Greer described the options as interim arrangements—a potential path through the uncertainty that has gripped business communities across all three countries since the Trump administration declined to renew CUSMA at the start of July. That decision triggered annual rolling reviews that could continue for up to a decade before the agreement expires unless all three countries agree to extend it.
The trade czar's comments came during a Senate finance hearing as Trump faces mounting pressure from Democrats over his threat to impose 50 percent tariffs on a range of Canadian goods under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930. Those steep tariffs would not take effect until August 19 and carry no exemptions for goods compliant under CUSMA—a significant escalation from most other Trump tariffs.
Meanwhile, a separate 10 percent tariff Trump signed Monday in response to allegations of forced labour imports could take effect as early as Friday.
By the numbers
When does Trump's 50 percent tariff threat on Canadian goods take effect?
August 19, 2026. The tariffs would apply to a range of Canadian goods under Section 338 of the U.S. Tariff Act of 1930 and carry no exemptions for goods compliant under CUSMA.
When did the Trump administration decline to renew CUSMA?
July 1, 2026. That decision triggered annual rolling reviews that could continue for up to a decade before the agreement expires unless all three countries agree to extend it.
