Trump questions the North American free trade agreement: "The United States would be better off without it."

Le président américain Donald Trump He reignited the debate on the future of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), asserting that his country would be in a better economic position without the pact. While expressing openness to renewing the agreement, he indicated that he would prefer not to enter into a new one.

Speaking to reporters in France, Donald Trump said, "I would prefer not to have the deal, but I could sign it." He added that, in his opinion, the United States "is doing better as a country" without the trade agreement. These remarks come as the three countries approach a key deadline regarding the treaty's future.

Washington, Ottawa, and Mexico City must approve the renewal of the agreement before July 1st or signal their intention to withdraw from it. Such a move would initiate a lengthy process that could last ten years, allowing time to renegotiate or amend certain provisions of the pact.

Discussions are currently ongoing between the United States and Mexico. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is holding negotiations in Washington this week, focusing on agriculture and fair competition. A new round of talks is scheduled to begin in Mexico on July 20.

American agricultural groups are advocating for a sixteen-year extension of the USMCA. Their aims include preserving tariff-free agricultural trade, improving access to the Mexican market for genetically modified corn and ethanol, and gaining better access to the Canadian dairy market.

The automotive industry is also closely monitoring the situation. Manufacturers believe the agreement is essential to the competitiveness of North American production compared to other major industrial regions worldwide. Industry representatives, including those from Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, consider the renewal of the USMCA an opportunity to further strengthen regional economic integration.

Entering into force six years ago, the USMCA and its predecessor have helped build a highly integrated North American economy, supporting approximately $1.6 trillion in trade annually. Mexico has been the United States' largest trading partner since 2023, while the Canadian and Mexican economies remain heavily reliant on their American neighbor. Despite this interdependence, Donald Trump's statements indicate that the future of the agreement remains uncertain as crucial negotiations approach in the coming months.