Overview
- During a visit to a Ford plant in Dearborn on Jan. 13, President Trump said the USMCA has “no real advantage” and asserted the United States “doesn’t need” cars made in Canada or Mexico.
- On Jan. 14, President Claudia Sheinbaum declined to debate Trump and said the commercial relationship will persist, highlighting cross‑border integration and recent U.S. investments in Mexico.
- Sheinbaum said U.S. business leaders are the strongest defenders of the accord, citing shared supply chains and instances where U.S. authorities pushed to reopen border crossings to avoid production impacts.
- Analysts, including Eurasia Group, warned the pact could remain only technically in force as Washington pursues bilateral leverage during the 2026 review, adding uncertainty for investment and planning.
- Canadian reports said Prime Minister Mark Carney planned a Beijing trip to meet Xi Jinping to cultivate deeper ties as Ottawa navigates frictions with Washington.