U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Canada’s trade strategy “they suck” and said the USMCA was a bad deal at a Washington summit on Friday. [1]
Lutnick’s remarks matter because the United States and Canada are renegotiating key provisions of their North American trade pact, and his blunt criticism could shape the tone of upcoming talks that affect billions in cross‑border commerce. [2]
“They suck. That is like the worst strategy I’ve ever heard,” Lutnick said, adding that the current approach “is the worst strategy I’ve ever heard.” [1]
The United States, a $30 trillion economy, Lutnick emphasized, cannot afford a flawed agreement, and he warned that the current iteration of the North American free‑trade agreement is a bad deal that must be reworked. [3] [4]
Some outlets, such as CryptoBriefing, reported that Lutnick threatened to end the trade deal with Canada, but CBC News, the primary source for his comments, did not mention any such threat. Given CBC’s higher trust rating, the claim of an imminent deal termination remains unverified. [1]
A formal review of the USMCA is scheduled in the coming months, a timeline that will give both governments a chance to address the concerns Lutnick raised before any renegotiation begins. [4]
**What this means**: Lutnick’s stark language signals a tougher U.S. stance in the pending NAFTA‑style talks, suggesting that Washington will push for substantial changes to the agreement unless Canada adjusts its trade policies to align with U.S. expectations.
“They suck. That is like the worst strategy I've ever heard.”
Lutnick’s blunt assessment likely hardens U.S. negotiating positions, pressuring Canada to modify its trade approach before formal USMCA reviews, which could reshape economic ties across North America.
