Canada and the United States have not yet started formal negotiations to revise the Canada‑U.S.‑Mexico Economic Agreement (ACEUM) [1, 2, 3].
The delay in starting these talks creates uncertainty for North American supply chains and trade stability as the partners prepare for the agreement's scheduled review process.
Dominic LeBlanc, the Minister of Trade for Canada–United States, addressed the status of the talks during an interview with Radio‑Canada’s “Zone économie” [1, 2]. LeBlanc said that formal negotiations within the framework of the ACEUM have not yet been initiated [1, 2].
According to LeBlanc, the lack of formal talks is due to the United States not yet initiating the process [1, 3]. Despite the absence of formal negotiations, LeBlanc said he spoke with U.S. representative Jamieson Greer earlier in the week [1, 2].
LeBlanc said he plans to travel to Washington, D.C., in the near future to continue discussions [1, 2]. The Canadian government has indicated it is not concerned about parallel discussions occurring between the United States and Mexico [3].
“We have not yet started negotiations with the United States under the CUSMA,” LeBlanc said [1, 2]. He added, “I just exchanged [words] at the beginning of the week with the American representative Jamieson Greer and I plan to go to Washington very soon” [1, 2].
Ottawa remains in a state of readiness to begin the process once the U.S. government provides a formal start date [1, 3].
““We have not yet started negotiations with the United States under the CUSMA,” LeBlanc said.”
The absence of formal negotiations indicates a waiting game between Ottawa and Washington. While Canada is maintaining diplomatic channels and planning high-level visits, the pace of the ACEUM review is currently dictated by the U.S. administration's timeline. Canada's lack of concern regarding U.S.-Mexico bilateral talks suggests a strategy of confidence in its own trade position, though the eventual renegotiation remains a critical pivot point for regional economic policy.
