USTR Greer Warns USMCA Talks May Extend Past July 1 Deadline

Efforts to 'rebalance' the trade pact are unlikely to be finished by the joint review, signaling potential delays.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:26pm

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A serene, cinematic painting depicting a lone shipping container or freight train car in a dimly lit urban setting, with warm sunlight casting dramatic shadows across the scene, conveying a sense of uncertainty and unease surrounding the ongoing USMCA trade negotiations.As USMCA renegotiations stall, the future of North American trade hangs in the balance.Washington Today

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned that efforts to renegotiate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are unlikely to be completed by the July 1 joint review deadline, and could easily spill past that date. Greer said the administration may have to put Congress on notice about its intentions toward the pact on a firm timeline in the coming weeks.

Why it matters

The USMCA joint review is a critical process to ensure the trade agreement continues to work for all three countries. Delays or an inability to resolve key issues like auto imports, steel and aluminum flows could jeopardize the future of the trade pact and disrupt regional supply chains.

The details

Greer said Washington has already kicked off bilateral technical talks with Mexico, while formal discussions with Canada are scheduled for May. He cited a surge in auto imports from Mexico, along with concerns over steel and aluminum flows from both neighbors, as major friction points that need to be addressed. Under the USMCA agreement, any country that wants to put changes on the table must file its recommendations at least one month before the July 1 review meeting, creating a de facto June 1 deadline.

  • The USMCA joint review is locked in for July 1, 2026.
  • U.S. implementing law requires USTR to brief Congress ahead of the review.

The players

Jamieson Greer

The U.S. Trade Representative who warned that USMCA talks may extend beyond the July 1 deadline.

United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)

A trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada that is undergoing a joint review process.

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What they’re saying

“So I think that we aren't probably going to resolve all issues by July 1.”

— Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative

What’s next

The U.S. may have to put Congress on notice about its intentions toward the USMCA pact on a firm timeline in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The USMCA review process is proving more complex than anticipated, with unresolved issues around auto imports, steel and aluminum flows threatening to delay the joint review and potentially jeopardize the future of the trade agreement if not addressed in a timely manner.