Trade negotiations between Canada and the United States are moving more slowly than parallel discussions with Mexico, according to Jamieson Greer.
Speaking publicly, Greer said that while talks are ongoing with Canada, negotiations with Mexico have progressed further ahead of the upcoming review of the CUSMA trade pact.
Canada “behind” in negotiations
“We’re having talks separately with Canada, but we’ve moved along with Mexico — Canada is behind on this,” Greer said.
Canada’s International Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc met with Greer in Washington earlier this month. The meeting was seen as a potential reset after tensions last year led to a freeze in negotiations.
However, no formal announcement of renewed negotiations between Canada and the U.S. has followed.
LeBlanc’s office says discussions are continuing and that it is normal for bilateral talks to move at different speeds within a three-country agreement.
What’s at stake: CUSMA review
The CUSMA — which replaced NAFTA during Trump’s first term — is up for mandatory review this year.
Countries involved have three options:
- renew the deal for another 16 years
- withdraw from it
- trigger ongoing annual reviews that could extend negotiations for up to a decade
Both Canada and Mexico have said they want to preserve the three-country agreement.
Ongoing trade tensions
Despite CUSMA protections, Canada continues to face U.S. tariffs on key sectors such as:
- steel
- aluminum
- auto manufacturing
- lumber
The Trump Administration has also launched new investigations under U.S. trade law into multiple countries, including Canada, citing concerns like forced labour in supply chains.
U.S. concerns over supply chains
Greer said discussions with Mexico are focused on tightening “rules of origin” — ensuring that goods traded under the agreement are genuinely produced within North America, not routed through countries like China or Vietnam.
He also criticized Canadian policies, including provincial restrictions on U.S. alcohol, as barriers to smoother trade talks.
What happens next
With the review deadline approaching in July, uncertainty remains over the future of North America’s trade framework.
Greer has even suggested the possibility of abandoning CUSMA altogether in favour of separate bilateral agreements — a move that could significantly reshape trade relationships across the continent.
For now, Canada continues diplomatic and trade engagement with both Washington and Mexico City, aiming to keep the trilateral agreement intact.