Trump Administration Refuses to Renew USMCA Trade Deal

International Trade attorney Patrick Childress was quoted in The Globe and Mail reacting to the Trump Administration's decision not to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), opting instead for annual reviews that could result in years of negotiations over North American trade. The agreement will remain in place as it enters a 10-year review period during which the United States is seeking changes to key provisions, including automotive rules of origin, North American content requirements and trade policies related to China. Mr. Childress discussed the administration's negotiating priorities and issues expected to shape future talks, such as digital streaming regulations, dairy quota allocations and domestic procurement measures. The article also noted Canada's continued focus on securing relief from tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles and lumber.

"The question for Canada and Mexico will be which of these proposals from the U.S. government is it willing to accept in order to convince the United States government that the USMCA is still a treaty worth having and to prevent the U.S. government from withdrawing from the treaty altogether," Mr. Childress said.

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