‘No secret’ Trump dislikes CUSMA, Carney says after threat to terminate it

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney acknowledged that U.S. President Donald Trump's dislike for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is widely known, amid growing concerns about the trade deal's future. Trump has stated he would rather see the agreement terminated or expire than be renewed or extended.

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It’s no secret the president in recent years has not been the biggest fan of CUSMA or other trade deals. But there are specific things that we can work together on.

Carney, speaking to reporters in Vancouver, addressed Trump's comments that he would prefer the continental trade deal be "terminated" rather than extended for another 16 years or enter a 10-year period of annual reviews. July 1 marks the deadline for all three countries to enter formal talks regarding CUSMA's future. Carney assured that the agreement will remain in place, at least in the short term.

Despite Trump's reservations, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has indicated that the "underlying structure of CUSMA" is solid and will persist through negotiations. Carney noted that while the president has not been CUSMA's biggest fan, there are specific areas where collaboration is possible, such as addressing U.S. tariffs and anti-dumping duties on Canada's forestry sector.

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There’s always been the opportunity for any of the parties to cancel it with six months’ notice.

British Columbia Premier David Eby, appearing alongside Carney, expressed frustration over the U.S. increasing lumber imports from Russia instead of Canada. Eby hopes the president and his trade team will engage in discussions, emphasizing the potential for a win-win outcome for all parties involved. Trump himself has suggested he might sign a renewal or extension, though his preference remains termination.

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To see the Americans increasing their imports of lumber from Russia instead of from British Columbia and Canada doesn’t make any sense to us at all.