Following the end of the initial six-year joint review period on July 1, 2026, when the U.S. did not agree to a full 16-year term extension, the parties to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered a phase of annual joint reviews. The trade pact is set to terminate on July 1, 2036, unless a unanimous agreement is reached to extend the 16-year term during these reviews.
As part of the second (2027) annual review process, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), via a recent Federal Register Notice, has solicited comments from the public on the USMCA and how it might be improved. Read more here.
The following are the key areas mentioned in the Federal Register notice for which comments are being solicited:
- Operation and Implementation: General performance, effectiveness and daily operation of the agreement.
- Compliance: Any issues regarding how the partner countries (Mexico and Canada) comply with the rules.
- Recommendations: Specific actions USTR should propose during the annual joint review.
- Investment and Competitiveness: Factors affecting North American investment, productivity and technological leadership.
- Economic Security: Strategies to strengthen regional economic security and cooperate against nonmarket policies from other nations.
Comments are due by January 12, 2027, and should be posted to the USTR docket, USTR-2026-0595.
USTR will also subsequently announce dates for a public hearing.
By submitting comments and participating in the public hearing, interested parties will have an opportunity to influence the next joint North American trade agreement.
