Full Breakdown
Greer’s USMCA Review Briefing Highlights Energy and Critical Minerals Tensions
5/1/2026, 6:11:08 PM
Briefing Overview and Policy Signals
On April 9, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer addressed a round-table in Washington hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada. He outlined the Trump administration’s objectives for the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Greer said the United States seeks “mutually beneficial” cooperation with Canada on energy and critical minerals, warned that Canada should not use those resources as leverage, and noted a goal of reducing Canada’s trade deficit, which is tied to U.S. purchases of oil and energy.
Review Context and Mechanism
CUSMA requires a mandatory review this year. After the review each party may (i) renew the pact for 16 years, (ii) withdraw, or (iii) signal non-renewal and non-withdrawal, which would trigger an annual review that could extend negotiations for up to a decade. The current review follows a freeze of Canada-U.S. talks in October 2022 after a dispute over an Ontario-sponsored advertisement referencing former President Ronald Reagan.
Principal Actors
The briefing included Greer and Deputy Trade Representative Jeffrey Goettman; Canadian officials Mark Wiseman (U.S. ambassador), Dominic LeBlanc (trade minister), and Mark Carney (prime minister). Conservative MPs Jamil Jivani, Michael Chong, and Shuvaloy Majumdar attended, as did executives from oil, gas and critical-minerals firms.
Recent Timeline
- Oct 2022 – Canada-U.S. trade talks frozen.
- Apr 9 2024 – Greer’s Washington briefing.
- Apr 23 2024 – Wiseman testifies before the Canadian House of Commons committee.
- May 2024 – Greer meets LeBlanc in Washington.
- Jun 2024 – First bilateral CUSMA round between U.S. and Mexico officials scheduled.
- Jul 2024 – Deadline for CUSMA renewal decision.
Trade Deficit and Energy Stakes
U.S. officials emphasize that the Canadian trade deficit with the United States is largely driven by energy imports. While no specific dollar figure is provided, the deficit is a central focus of the review, linking energy and critical-minerals policy to broader trade negotiations.
Official Statements
Greer described CUSMA as placing Canada and Mexico “in the best situation in the world” for trade with the United States. Wiseman asserted that “Canada is ready and willing to commence any type of review process with the United States and also with Mexico.” Carney emphasized that “in the end, there is one negotiator for Canada and that is the government of Canada.”
Criticism of Canadian Policy
Greer characterized Canada as “difficult to deal with” and said its green-energy transition “doesn’t align with U.S. policy.” He also accused Canada of “doubling down on globalization when we’re trying to correct for the problems of globalization,” reflecting a broader U.S. frustration with Canadian trade positions.
Conflicting Reports
Sources differ on whether Greer’s remarks constituted a formal warning. Additionally, Ottawa has not begun formal CUSMA negotiations, leaving the scope of Canada’s response to U.S. concerns unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “So those are two models that don’t fit together very well,” — Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative
- “Greer recently made similar comments on Capitol Hill when he told American lawmakers that Canada was “doubling down on globalization when we’re trying to correct for the problems of globalization.” — Jamieson Greer
- “Canada is ready and willing to commence any type of review process with the United States and also with Mexico,” — Mark Wiseman, Canadian Ambassador to the United States
- “In the end, there is one negotiator for Canada and that is the government of Canada,” — Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
Outlook
The July decision will determine whether CUSMA is renewed, withdrawn, or placed under an annual review. Parallel negotiations with Mexico are slated for next month, and the United States has signaled willingness to engage Canadian industry leaders on energy and critical-minerals cooperation pending the review’s outcome.
