National

Canada launching consultations in advance of CUSMA trade pact review, LeBlanc says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Sep, 2025 08:32 AM

The federal government says it is launching public consultations on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, or CUSMA, ahead of next year's planned review of the North American trade pact.

Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the consultations Friday in Mexico City, where he and Prime Minister Mark Carney were wrapping up two days of meetings with Mexican officials.

Ottawa will hear from provinces, territories, industry and workers through the consultations as it gears up to formally review CUSMA in 2026.

"You'll see, over the coming weeks, activities and opportunities for Canadians, and for those that are affected by the recent turbulence in the trading relationship, to offer us views on how we should approach the review conversations with the United States and with Mexico," LeBlanc said.

An exemption for CUSMA-compliant goods has so far shielded much of Canada's trade from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war, although sectoral duties still exist in the steel, aluminum, automotive and softwood lumber industries.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said earlier this week that Trump had hoped to reach a "much bigger deal" with Canada that would go beyond renegotiating the current free trade pact.

LeBlanc said that while Ottawa would sign a "bigger deal" with the U.S. if Washington offered something in Canada's interests, his short-term focus is on addressing the sectoral tariffs. He said he expects to be back in Washington for further trade talks in the next few weeks.

Carney announced a new economic and security agreement on Wednesday with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

The agreement was billed as a comprehensive strategic partnership. It includes plans to build infrastructure, such as ports, rail and energy corridors, while tackling crime and protecting the environment.

Carney and Sheinbaum emphasized that the new deal will "complement" CUSMA.

The prime minister said Wednesday he's confident the two countries' individual reviews and collective discussions on CUSMA will "reinforce the strength of our economies, our individual economies, and the fact that we are stronger together."

Carney was expected Friday to visit the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Ferrovalle train yard — his only scheduled event for the day — before departing Mexico City for Ottawa.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Polls suggest a close race as federal election approaches

Multiple polls now suggest the next federal election — which could begin in a matter of weeks — will be a tight race. At least one major pollster has the Liberals in the lead and ahead of the Conservatives for the first time in nearly four years.

Polls suggest a close race as federal election approaches

Canada, Germany working on diversifying trade in face of U.S. threats

Canadian companies and diplomats are working with their European colleagues to find ways to diversify trade as the U.S. threatens to impose steep tariffs. Germany's Ambassador to Canada Tjorven Bellmann says European ambassadors in Ottawa have been in touch with corporations on both sides of the Atlantic to discuss how they can boost trade.

Canada, Germany working on diversifying trade in face of U.S. threats

Supreme Court of Canada moving away from social media platform X

The Supreme Court of Canada says it's moving away from the social media platform X. In an apparent farewell post to its more than 45,000 subscribers, the top court says it will focus its communication efforts on other platforms.

Supreme Court of Canada moving away from social media platform X

The Tories say Carney is being 'sneaky' about his assets. What do the rules say?

In a series of press conferences in recent weeks, the federal Conservatives have demanded that Liberal leadership candidate Mark Carney comply with the conflict of interest rules that apply to members of Parliament and cabinet ministers. Carney, who is neither an MP nor a member of cabinet, has said he will comply with the rules when they apply to him.

The Tories say Carney is being 'sneaky' about his assets. What do the rules say?

Liberals advance voting begins, Mark Carney still frontrunner

With the debates now done, Liberal party members can start casting advance ballots today to select their next leader a little under two weeks from now. They can cast their ranked ballot choices by mail or in some instances by phone, and each electoral district counts for 100 points in the race.

Liberals advance voting begins, Mark Carney still frontrunner

Media, telecom firms ask CRTC to ease up on regulation as they compete with streaming

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is holding consultations on how the Canadian broadcasting system can survive the shift away from traditional TV to international streamers. It’s a part of the regulator’s work on implementing the Online Streaming Act, which updated broadcasting laws to capture online platforms.