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2d ago

Canada, U.S. Set Mid-January Start for USMCA Review Talks as Washington Sets Conditions

U.S. support hinges on resolving disputes over dairy access, alcohol bans, streaming rules.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a press conference at the White House in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney makes an energy-related announcement at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce in Calgary, Alberta, Canada November 27, 2025. REUTERS/Todd Korol
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Farmworker Morgan Walker prepares to apply a suction tube to milk dairy cow on a farm in Hamilton, Ont., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Overview

  • Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office says Dominic LeBlanc will meet U.S. counterparts in mid-January to launch formal discussions on the 2026 USMCA/CUSMA review.
  • USTR Jamieson Greer publicly listed priorities that include expanded U.S. dairy access, changes to Canada’s Online Streaming and Online News Acts, lifting provincial bans on U.S. alcohol, and addressing provincial procurement practices.
  • Greer said he will keep the President’s options open and only recommend renewal if issues are resolved, while exploring which matters are handled bilaterally versus trilaterally.
  • The U.S. agenda also seeks tighter rules of origin for industrial goods, mechanisms to penalize offshoring, policy alignment on tariffs and investment screening, and a new Critical Minerals Marketplace.
  • Carney signaled sector-specific tariff relief deals are unlikely before the review and reiterated Canada will protect supply management in the dairy sector.