With the White House noticing the start of the mandated six-year review of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, the clock is ticking on the future of the most consequential trade partnership in America’s history.
The USMCA is a signature achievement of President Donald Trump’s first term, making North American trade more modern, affordable, and successful against foreign competitors such as China. The agreement was viewed correctly as such a major win for U.S. workers, manufacturers, farmers, and service businesses that Trump secured historic bipartisan support of 385 lawmakers in the House and 89 in the Senate.
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Due to its smart design of zero tariffs and near-zero trade barriers on crucial products bought and sold by American businesses and consumers, coupled with integrated supply chains and sharing of critical minerals and resources across the three nations, the U.S. has become economically stronger, more secure, and strategically positioned to win against aggressive foreign adversaries in the future.
Thanks to the USMCA, Canada and Mexico are America’s best customers. Together, they buy five times more made-in-America products and services than any other country in the world. Nearly one-third of all U.S. exports are sold to our neighbors, with 49 of America’s 50 states counting Canada or Mexico as their top three customers. Millions of jobs in U.S. manufacturing, technology, energy, and agriculture depend on USMCA trade.
In Republican states that voted for Trump in 2024, at least 1.6 million jobs and $453 billion in export sales are dependent on smooth trade with Canada and Mexico, twice the share of Democratic states. Fifteen of the 20 states sending their highest share of exports to Canada and Mexico awarded Trump their electoral votes in 2024. Democratic states also benefit greatly from trade with our neighbors, accounting for 879,000 jobs and $204 billion in export sales, as do battleground states with 418,000 jobs and $102 billion in exports.
Due to the USMCA, Mexico and Canada are the largest investors in America when measured by the true owner of foreign investment. Since Trump’s modernized trade agreement took effect in 2020, annual investment in America by our neighbors surged 42% to $873 billion in 2024. During that period, their investment in U.S.-based manufacturing has also grown nearly 20% to a record $97 billion per year. Most strikingly, their investment in U.S. technology production has more than doubled. Trump is aggressively seeking investment from around the world and the jobs it brings. Mexico and Canada are already delivering.
Because of the USMCA, Canada and Mexico are also America’s most important suppliers, supporting Trump’s charge to strengthen supply chains for our national and economic security. Canada and Mexico lead the world in helping the U.S. establish a reliable and resilient industrial base that runs on nearby, trusted materials.
Critical minerals for U.S. electronics production, uranium to help America rebuild its nuclear energy capacity, affordable crude oil for energy and transportation, engines for heavy-duty vehicles, parts and equipment to feed U.S. manufacturing and technology plants, steel and aluminum to meet America’s demand — our allies to the north and south are who we look to. The USMCA ensures that North American factories, not Chinese ones, feed U.S. production and fuel our drive to remain the largest and strongest economy on Earth.
Ironically, being a reliable supplier works against our partners. For example, America enjoys both a manufacturing and a services trade surplus with Canada. But for Canada supplying crucial energy to America, we would run a goods surplus as well. Without context, Canada appears to be a trade-deficient nation with the U.S., which is often misunderstood.
Looking to the future, perhaps the most powerful economic argument for preserving the USMCA is that this unique, proven integrated partnership ensures America can compete and win against the most aggressive foreign competitors in the world. In key areas such as AI, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, North America is positioned to be the world’s innovation powerhouse.
Let’s not overlook the real benefits USMCA delivers for American families working to make ends meet. Affordable cars and trucks, year-round availability of quality food and produce, and greater choices on everything from electronics to computers to school clothing stretch paychecks at every income level.
Perhaps that is why a recent survey reveals 84% of people view international trade as good for their standard of living and good for the U.S. economy, including 79% who support the USMCA for those reasons.
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The USMCA is a world-class example of trade done right, clearly benefiting America. But no trade relationship of this magnitude is perfect. The USMCA review creates the opportunity for these three longtime partners to build upon what works, seek to improve the areas where trade tensions exist, and provide long-term certainty for crucial investments.
With the review underway, it’s time for the U.S. business, technology, and agricultural community to publicly weigh in on the benefits of the USMCA for U.S. workers, job creators, and consumers. It’s vital to help the administration work to preserve and strengthen America’s most important trade partnership.
Kevin Brady is the co-chairman of the Coalition for North American Trade and former chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.