Trump says he "would rather not have" his North American trade deal

President Donald Trump expressed his preference for the United States not being part of the USMCA, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, during a press briefing in Paris on June 17, 2026. Speaking ahead of his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles, Trump stated that he would rather the U.S. not be involved in the pact. “I’m thinking about maybe we won’t be able to make a deal. I would rather not have the USMCA. The primary reason I wanted it was because there was no way out of NAFTA, which was the worst trade agreement ever made,” he remarked. While Trump hinted at potential difficulties in renewing the agreement, he did not explicitly threaten to withdraw from the pact, instead suggesting that he might still choose to sign it.

The USMCA, originally negotiated under Trump’s first presidential term as a successor to NAFTA, is set for a mandatory joint review by July 1, 2026, to determine whether the agreement should be extended for another 16 years. However, negotiations have been stalled, with only Mexico participating in significant discussions, while Canada has remained largely absent. This lack of participation has raised concerns about the likelihood of reaching a renewed agreement before the deadline. Should the parties fail to reach consensus, the agreement would remain in effect but enter a phase of annual reviews, which would allow for gradual adjustments rather than immediate termination.

The implications of such a scenario are substantial. Key industries, particularly automotive manufacturing, rely heavily on the free flow of components across North America. These sectors have invested considerable resources in building supply chains within the region to benefit from lower production costs. A collapse of the USMCA could disrupt these operations and lead to increased costs for consumers and businesses alike. Additionally, the agreement has played a crucial role in shielding U.S. trade from the broader impact of Trump’s trade wars, as many of its provisions have helped avoid the imposition of tariffs on goods moving between the three nations.

Despite the current uncertainty, Trump emphasized that the U.S. would perform better economically without the agreement. His comments reflect a long-standing skepticism toward international trade deals, a stance that has characterized much of his presidency. During his initial term, Trump negotiated the USMCA as a means to replace NAFTA, which he consistently criticized as one of the worst trade agreements in history. The new pact aimed to address some of the perceived imbalances in NAFTA, particularly regarding labor standards and environmental protections, although critics argue that it still favors U.S. interests over those of its neighbors.

Recent tensions between U.S. and Canadian officials have further complicated the situation. Despite this, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was represented by his predecessor, Mark Carney, at the G7 summit in France, advocated for a “Fortress North America” approach, underscoring the significance of maintaining strong trade ties between the two nations. This sentiment suggests that even amid political friction, both countries recognize the value of the USMCA in stabilizing their economic relationship.

Looking forward, the outcome of the ongoing negotiations will likely shape the future of North American trade policy. Whether the U.S. chooses to maintain, modify, or terminate the USMCA remains uncertain, but the stakes are high for all three nations involved. As the deadline approaches, the pressure on negotiators to find common ground will intensify, with the potential for either a renewed agreement or a prolonged period of uncertainty looming over the region.