Trump reportedly pushes for rapid reopening of North American trade deal

The Trump administration intends to push to renegotiate the U.S. trade deal with Canada and Mexico ahead of its required review in 2026, seeking to shore up U.S. auto jobs and counter corporate Chinese companies making inroads into the Mexican automotive sector, sources familiar with the matter said. says the deliberations.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which Mr. Trump signed in 2020, required the three countries to conduct a “joint review” of the agreement after six years, on July 1, 2026. But Mr. Trump intend to begin these negotiations sooner. , according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss plans that had not been made public.

Trump officials particularly want to strengthen the deal’s rules governing the auto sector, to try to discourage auto factories from leaving the United States, they said. They also seek to prevent Chinese companies making cars and auto parts from being able to export to the United States through factories in Mexico.

Mr. Trump also threatened to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, saying those countries allow drugs and migrants to flow across U.S. borders. Speaking from the Oval Office Monday evening after his inauguration, he said he planned to implement the tariffs on February 1.

Members of the Trump team believe Mexico has violated the terms of a separate agreement to limit metal exports to the United States, and they are eager to show the Mexican government that they intend to take action against such trade violations, a person familiar with the matter said. said the conversations.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported that Mr. Trump was pushing for a rapid renegotiation of his North American trade deal. The three countries are scheduled to meet to discuss the terms of the trade deal six years after the deal takes effect, but trade experts expect the Trump team to accelerate work on the issue.