U.S. takes first official step in launching review of USMCA

The U.S. Trade Representative is beginning 45 days of public consultations ahead of the mandated review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The United States is formally kicking off discussions about the future of the North American free trade pact, setting the stage for months of intense negotiations over continental trade in an era of U.S. protectionism.

On Tuesday, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative posted a preliminary notice online saying that it would begin 45 days of public consultations on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, with hearings planned for November.

This is the first official step in launching a review of the USMCA, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, in 2020.

The trilateral agreement, which underpins trilli