Canada is launching public consultations on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the framework within which free trade is facilitated across North America. This is the second time the government has formally sought public consultation on the agreement. The first was held in 2024.
In his announcement, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy, stated, “CUSMA is a model trade agreement that helps make the North American region more competitive and prosperous. As we prepare for the joint review of CUSMA, we want to hear directly from Canadians. Their views will help us ensure that this agreement continues to reflect our national priorities, strengthen our economy, and create opportunities for businesses and workers across Canada.”
The consultations seek to provide Canadians with an opportunity to share their views on CUSMA, feedback that will inform the government as it prepares for its first joint review of the agreement. Participants will be able to submit their comments from September 20th, 2025 until November 3rd, 2025.
CUSMA was enacted on July 1st, 2020, and represents the world’s second largest free trade region, which is key to enhancing economic growth and improving living standards for Canadians nationwide as well as their American and Mexican counterparts, but there seems to be the potential to move away from this agreement in favour of bilateral relationships between the signatories.
While the U.S. is Canada’s largest trading partner and Prime Minister Carney remains committed to arriving at a deal, the recent breakdown of trade relations between the two former allies has also created an opportunity for Canada and Mexico to strengthen their bilateral relationship outside of CUSMA, though both countries insist that the trilateral deal is in their collective best interests. A partnership between Canada and Mexico seeks to enhance trade and security relationships between the two, as well as infrastructure investment and cooperation on matters of climate and conservation.
Prime Minister Carney insists that Canada is “absolutely committed” to working with both Mexico and the U.S. to find mutually beneficial agreements and that Mexico, the U.S., and Canada will “move forward together” on trade “without question.”
