Trump Wants Cusma to Expire Immediately
Donald Trump said cusma should expire immediately on Wednesday, sharpening pressure on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement just as the July 1 renewal deadline approaches. He also left open a new deal, but said he would rather leave the pact unsigned.
"I view it as possibly expiring immediately," Trump said. For Canada, the United States and Mexico, that keeps the next decision tied to whether they declare by July 1 that they want to renew the trade deal for another 16 years.
Trump in Evian
Trump spoke after he and Prime Minister Mark Carney had talked several times over the past two days at the leaders' meeting in Evian. Their top trade negotiators also met in person to work through points of friction between the two countries, a sign the political line from Washington and the negotiating track were moving at the same time.
He told reporters on the tarmac at Paris Orly Airport, "I’d rather have it terminated" and, "To me, I think it’s better without it." He added, "I mean, to be honest with you, I’m not a big fan of it."
July 1 deadline
If Canada, the United States and Mexico do not declare an intention to renew the deal for another 16 years by July 1, annual reviews would begin. Under that process, the pact would stay in force for another decade unless any party gives the required six months' notice to withdraw.
That structure gives the three governments a narrow path: renew for 16 years, or let the agreement roll into annual reviews with a built-in decade of continuity unless one side starts a withdrawal clock. Trump's preference points the other way, even as he said he could sign a new deal.
Trump also said he did not know that he said he liked Canada’s approach to limits on Chinese electric vehicle imports. He said, "I don’t know that I said I like it, but I could understand that" and, "Would I rather see a cap than no cap? I would. On Canada."
