Key Takeaways:
- U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are set to meet in Washington, D.C. to discuss trade and other issues.
- The meeting comes ahead of the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) next year.
- Trump has expressed uncertainty about the future of the deal, suggesting it may expire or be renegotiated.
- The meeting also coincides with the FIFA Men’s World Cup draw ceremony, which will determine the matchups for the 2026 tournament.
- Canada will host 13 games in the tournament, marking the first time the World Cup will be played on Canadian soil.
Introduction to the Meeting
The U.S. President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum are gathering in Washington, D.C. for the first time in nearly a year, amidst uncertainty over the future of free trade on the continent. The meeting comes ahead of the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) next year. Trump has stated that he will discuss trade with Carney and Sheinbaum, and the three leaders will also participate in the FIFA Men’s World Cup draw ceremony. The ceremony will determine the matchups for the 2026 tournament, which will be played across the continent, with Canada hosting 13 games.
The FIFA World Cup Draw Ceremony
The FIFA World Cup draw ceremony took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with supermodel Heidi Klum and actor Kevin Hart kicking off the event. The draw will divide the 48-team field into 12 groups of four, with each group including one team drawn from each of four pots. The ceremony was attended by the three leaders, who were seen shaking hands and posing for photographs. The tournament will overlap with the CUSMA review, which is expected to begin in July. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that Carney will have a brief meeting with Trump at the Kennedy Center, while Sheinbaum said it was not yet decided whether she would have a private meeting with the president.
Trade Uncertainty and CUSMA Review
The meeting between the three leaders comes at a time of uncertainty over the future of trade on the continent. Trump’s tariffs have thrown North American trade policy into uncertainty, although the exemption handed out to Canada and Mexico on CUSMA-compliant goods has cushioned both nations against the worst impacts. However, Trump has signalled recently that he is open to letting the deal expire. The deal, which was negotiated in 2018 and is referred to as CUSMA in Canada and USMCA in the United States, is up for review next year. Trump has stated that he will either let the deal expire or work out another deal with Mexico and Canada.
Trump’s Comments on Trade
Trump has made comments suggesting that Canada and Mexico have taken advantage of the United States. He stated that "Mexico and Canada have taken advantage of the United States. It’s like just about every other country, in all fairness, it’s not them. I’m not blaming them. But every country because we had stupid people running our country." These comments have raised concerns about the future of the deal and the impact it may have on trade between the three countries. Trump has also praised the trade agreement in the past, calling it "the best agreement we’ve ever made" after signing the deal in 2020.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The meeting between Trump, Carney, and Sheinbaum is significant, as it comes at a time of uncertainty over the future of trade on the continent. The outcome of the meeting and the subsequent review of the CUSMA will have important implications for trade between the three countries. The exemption handed out to Canada and Mexico on CUSMA-compliant goods has cushioned both nations against the worst impacts of Trump’s tariffs, but the future of the deal remains uncertain. As the three leaders prepare to meet, it remains to be seen what the outcome will be and how it will affect trade on the continent. The meeting and the review of the CUSMA will be closely watched by businesses, governments, and individuals on both sides of the border, as the future of trade and economic cooperation between the three countries hangs in the balance.
