President Donald Trump stated on June 17, 2026, that he would "rather not have" the North American trade agreement, known as the USMCA, which was negotiated during his first term. Speaking to reporters in Paris, Trump mentioned, "I'm thinking about maybe we won't be able to make a deal. I would rather not have the USMCA." He further expressed a preference for leaving the agreement unsigned or terminated, although he noted that he "may sign it."
The USMCA is set for a mandatory review by July 1, where the three countries involved— the United States, Mexico, and Canada— must decide whether to extend the agreement for another 16 years. There are concerns that the deal may collapse, which could negatively impact industries reliant on the free flow of goods across borders.
Trump emphasized that the USMCA was negotiated as a replacement for NAFTA, which he criticized as the "worst trade agreement ever made." He indicated that the USMCA has helped mitigate the economic impact of his trade policies, as much of U.S. trade is protected from tariffs under the agreement. Recent tensions between U.S. and Canadian officials over trade have also been noted, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney advocating for a unified North American trade approach at the G7 summit.