US Trade Representative Greer develops proposals with Canada to boost North American economy

Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative, announced that current deal frameworks with Canada are designed to protect American jobs and strengthen the broader North American economy. The statement comes amid ongoing bilateral negotiations that have been quietly reshaping the trade relationship between Washington and Ottawa.

The discussions center on the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the trade pact that replaced NAFTA back in 2020. Greer’s approach has focused on interim adjustments rather than pursuing a new, comprehensive deal.

What’s actually on the table

The bilateral talks, which saw their latest round around August 13-14, represent a notable strategic pivot. Instead of the trilateral format that characterized the original USMCA negotiations involving both Canada and Mexico simultaneously, Greer has opted for one-on-one conversations with Canadian counterparts.

On the Canadian side, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Chief Negotiator Janice Charette have been the primary points of contact. The negotiating agenda covers rules of origin, labor provisions, and enforcement mechanisms, three areas where US officials believe the current agreement falls short.

Greer has already developed several proposals for President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to evaluate. That said, a comprehensive bilateral deal remains elusive, with the current focus squarely on enhancing existing enforcement measures and clarifying commitments already baked into the USMCA.

US goods imports from Canada exceeded $380 billion in 2025, a figure that underscores why getting this relationship right matters so much.

The USMCA review clock is ticking

There’s a built-in deadline adding urgency to these conversations. The USMCA includes a mandatory review process, and US officials are required to notify Congress about any modifications or renewals around the mid-2026 timeframe, with decisions expected by July 1, 2026.

Greer is no stranger to this kind of work. Before his confirmation as the 20th US Trade Representative on February 27, 2025, he served as Chief of Staff to former USTR Robert Lighthizer, one of the architects of the original USMCA.

The enforcement question is central to Greer’s approach. His position has been that the USMCA’s regulatory framework, while structurally sound, lacks adequate enforcement and reciprocity provisions.

US officials have also taken a firm stance against any Canadian retaliation linked to tariff discussions.

Sectors and markets in the crosshairs

Energy, minerals, and fertilizers have been specifically highlighted as areas where commerce remains robust, suggesting that the talks haven’t disrupted the core commodity trade that forms the backbone of the US-Canada economic relationship.

The fact that negotiations are expected to extend into 2027 means this isn’t a story with a clean resolution on the horizon, as the process is still described as being in its early phases despite months of discussion.

By negotiating separately with Canada and Mexico rather than as a three-way conversation, the US gains the ability to tailor deals to each relationship’s specific dynamics. Canada’s trade profile with the US, dominated by energy and natural resources, looks very different from Mexico’s manufacturing-heavy export mix.