Canada reaffirms support for CUSMA after Trump reject renewal

Canada has reaffirmed its support for the continued renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) following a trilateral meeting with trade officials from the United States and Mexico.

In a statement released Wednesday, Dominic LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, said he met with Jamieson Greer and Marcelo Ebrard as part of the fifth Free Trade Commission review of the agreement.

The meeting was held under the joint review provisions outlined in the trade pact, which governs economic relations between Canada, the United States and Mexico.

LeBlanc said Canada remains firmly committed to CUSMA.

The agreement remains in force until 2036 and can be renewed for an additional 16-year term.

Canada also used the meeting to raise concerns about sector-specific tariffs imposed by the United States on Canadian steel, aluminum, automobiles and softwood lumber. LeBlanc said addressing those tariffs will remain a priority in future discussions.

The United States has stated it will not extend the agreement.