U.S. trade officials have outlined policy changes Canada must make if it wants to renew the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) on trade.
The trade deal between the three North American countries is up for a mandatory review next year, and the U.S. is talking tough ahead of negotiations with Canada and Mexico.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told members of Congress that, while the trade deal has delivered benefits for American exporters, the Trump administration is not prepared to automatically extend it without addressing “specific and structural issues.”
The U.S. is calling on Canada to expand access to its dairy market and address concerns about exports of certain industry products.
While Canada allows a limited amount of U.S. dairy to enter the country tariff-free under CUSMA, Greer told U.S. lawmakers that Canadian policies “unfairly restrict market access.”
Greer also wants changes to Canada’s Online Streaming Act and Online News Act, which bring both streaming and news platforms under Canadian cultural and broadcasting rules.
“Canada insists on maintaining its Online Streaming Act, a law that discriminates against U.S. tech and media firms, as well as a number of other measures that restrict digital services trade,” Greer reportedly said at a meeting with members of Congress.
Other Canadian measures flagged by Greer include provincial bans on U.S. alcohol products, and procurement rules in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Greer also said he wants a resolution to an ongoing dispute involving what he called, “Alberta’s unfair treatment of electrical power distribution providers in Montana.”
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative claims that Montana-based electricity producers aren’t being afforded fair access to the Alberta market.
Canada’s federal Liberal Government in Ottawa has said that it is preparing for potentially contentious trade negotiations with the U.S. in 2026.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has said that his goal is to secure the best possible trade deal for Canadians.
