Trump Official Warns President May Leave His Own Signature Trade Deal

Source: Newsweek

Published Dec 04, 2025 at 12:10 PM EST


U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said President Donald Trump could decide to withdraw from the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) next year, despite the pact encouraging member countries to remain until the next decade. "The president's view is he only wants deals that are a good deal. The reason why we built a review period into USMCA was in case we needed to revise it, review it or exit it," Greer said in an interview with Politico. Newsweek has contacted the Office of the United States Trade Representative for comment via email on Thursday.

Why It Matters

During Trump's first term, the United States, Mexico and Canada replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement with USMCA. The deal binds the three North American countries in a trade framework set to terminate after 16 years, with a mandatory review in 2026 that could extend the agreement beyond its current 2036 expiration date.

Trade and tariffs have been a centerpiece of Trump's second-term agenda, including levying heavy ones on neighboring Mexico and Canada. In January, the administration said it would commence a review process to "assess the impact of the USMCA on American workers, farmers, ranchers, service providers, and other businesses." USMCA governs almost $2 trillion in annual trade.

What To Know

Greer told Politico that the president could decide to withdraw from USMCA next year, saying, "I mean, that's always a scenario." Article 34.6 of the agreement outlines requirements for party withdrawal. To do so, a party must provide written notice to all other parties six months prior.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-official-warns-president-may-leave-his-signature-trade-deal-11156415