Trump says he would ‘rather not’ have CUSMA, offers conflicting message on its future

Canada and Mexico have both called for a 16-year extension to the agreement.

CUSMA was negotiated during the first Trump administration to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. At the time, Trump called it the best trade agreement ever.

He has since described CUSMA as “irrelevant” and has said it may have served its purpose.

Trump said Wednesday he liked CUSMA because it got the United States out of NAFTA. He said he would rather “leave it unsigned” or “have it terminated.”

When asked to clarify those statements, Trump said, “I would rather not have the agreement but I may sign it.”

When pushed further on whether he intends to pull the U.S. out of CUSMA or leave it to be reviewed annually, Trump said he would prefer no agreement but he’s open to keeping it, adding, “I view it as possibly expiring immediately.”

CUSMA stays in place unless one of the countries gives six months’ notice that it is pulling out. Canada and Mexico both have indicated they want to keep the trilateral deal in place.

Given how integrated many industries are in North America, most experts do not think the United States would be quick to leave the agreement.

Christopher Sands, director of Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Canadian Studies, said the July 1 date is a milestone, not a deadline. He said it’s “like the moment in a poker game where the players lay their cards on the table.”

“Each country indicates whether they are prepared to renew the (CUSMA) for 16 more years, withdraw from (CUSMA) entirely, or neither — that is, not renewing and not withdrawing,” Sands said in an email. “Withdrawal is the only option that is unilateral, and renewal requires unanimous agreement.”

It’s not likely the United States will request a 16-year extension in July but the trade agreement remains in place as the countries continue to negotiate.

United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has said there are “pillars” of the continental trade pact that work well. He also has said he’d be open to two separate bilateral agreements.

Trade negotiations between Mexico and the United States have launched but Ottawa and Washington have not started official talks yet.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with Greer on the sidelines of the G7 on Tuesday and said trade talks with his American counterpart are not a “one-way conversation.”

The continental trade agreement has shielded Canada and Mexico from many of Trump’s tariffs. The current global 10 per cent U.S. duty does not apply to CUSMA-compliant goods.

Canada is also being slammed by Trump’s separate tariffs on industries like steel, aluminum, automobiles and cabinetry.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2026.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Trump says he would ‘rather not’ have CUSMA, offers conflicting message on its future

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