US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said he wants interim trade arrangements with Mexico and Canada before year-end, with broader US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) changes delayed until 2027, reported Reuters.
Speaking to the Senate Finance Committee, Greer said: “I would love to have by the end of the year at least some arrangements – one with Canada, one with Mexico.”
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He said more difficult issues, such as tighter automotive rules of origin and labour and environmental standards, could require more time to settle, “including with Congress in the following year”.
The remarks are Greer’s clearest statement yet that a full renegotiation of the six-year-old US-Mexico-Canada Agreement will not be completed during 2026.
Greer, quoted in the report, said the US was “moving with all due speed” towards potential interim deals and said he hoped to present proposals to President Donald Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian PM Mark Carney before the end of the year.
He did not provide further details on the possible content of the arrangements.
USMCA and the North American Free Trade Agreement before it have regulated trade in North America for more than 30 years.
Mexico and Canada both send most of their exports to the US.
Last year, Trump imposed Section 232 tariffs of 25% on vehicles and 50% on steel and aluminium from both countries, leading Mexico and Canada to pursue exemptions.
Relations between the US and Canada have become more strained.
This week, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on about $20bn of Canadian goods, including beer, dairy and hockey sticks, after Canadian retaliation over US metals and automotive duties.
Greer is due to hold bilateral talks in Mexico City on possible changes to USMCA.
Canada is not part of those discussions.
The US is also seeking a higher regional content requirement for vehicles to receive preferential access under the agreement.
