US Lawmakers Affirm Support for CUSMA Amid Trump's Withdrawal Speculation

Washington, D.C. – United States lawmakers recently voiced strong bipartisan support for the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) during a Senate committee hearing, emphasizing the trade pact's critical role in the North American economy. This show of support comes as former President Donald Trump has reportedly been questioning the future of the agreement, which is due for a mandatory review in July 2026.

Senate Committee Highlights Economic Benefits

The Senate Finance Committee convened a hearing on Thursday, February 12, 2026, where members from both sides of the aisle underscored the importance of the trade deal, known in the U.S. as the USMCA. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, stated that the agreement has been instrumental in protecting American jobs, strengthening domestic manufacturing, and fostering economic expansion. He urged against letting 'the perfect become the enemy of the good' in the upcoming review process, stressing that the trilateral relationship 'should not be taken for granted'.

Other lawmakers echoed these sentiments. Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) highlighted the deal's significance for producers in his state, noting the substantial benefits of trade with Canada and Mexico. The hearing also heard that trade with Canada and Mexico supports an estimated 13 million American jobs and has seen $775 billion invested in the U.S. from these two countries since the USMCA's enactment, marking a 55 percent increase from pre-agreement levels. Furthermore, the agreement has boosted U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico to $60 billion, accounting for nearly one-third of all U.S. agricultural exports.

Trump's Stance and Upcoming Review

The lawmakers' affirmations stand in contrast to recent reports indicating that former President Donald Trump has privately questioned the necessity of the USMCA, even suggesting a potential withdrawal from the agreement he negotiated during his first term. Trump reportedly called the deal 'irrelevant' in January and argued it offered 'no real advantage,' though he had previously praised it as 'good' and 'great for all countries,' while also noting the 2026 review could 'adjust it or terminate it.' His administration's current stance, as articulated by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, is to keep withdrawal as an open option to secure better terms, with a focus on potentially pursuing bilateral negotiations rather than automatically extending the 2019 terms.

The USMCA/CUSMA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and came into effect on July 1, 2020, includes a provision for a mandatory joint review every six years. The upcoming July 2026 review requires all three signatory nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—to confirm their desire to extend the pact for another 16 years. Failure to reach an agreement would trigger a period of annual reviews for up to 10 years before a potential expiration in 2036. Any country retains the right to withdraw with six months' notice.

Bipartisan Concerns and Calls for Strengthening

While supporting the agreement's continuation, some lawmakers also highlighted areas for improvement. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) used the hearing to advocate for strengthening the USMCA's protections for American workers and consumers, rather than using the review as an opportunity for corporate concessions. This bipartisan engagement underscores a shared interest in preserving and optimizing the trilateral trade relationship, despite differing views on specific enforcement mechanisms or future negotiations. The Senate's overwhelming 89-10 vote to pass the USMCA in 2020, which Senator Crapo noted as the most bipartisan vote ever for a trade deal, reflects the broad consensus on its foundational importance.