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ARTICLE · 02 OCTOBER 2025

Time To Talk Trade: Canada Opens Public Consultations On CUSMA As North American Trade Evolves

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

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On September 20, 2025, Global Affairs Canada launched public consultations on the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)...

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Elder Marques
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Elena Balkos
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On September 20, 2025, Global Affairs Canada launched public consultations on the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), and Canadians are now invited to share their views and submit comments until November 3, 2025.

The feedback will help inform Canada's approach ahead of the joint review of CUSMA with the United States and Mexico, expected to launch in July 2026. This process has taken on new meaning in light of the current Canada–U.S. trade dispute and represents an important opportunity for businesses to participate directly in government decision-making.

Overview of CUSMA and the 2026 Joint Review

CUSMA came into force on July 1, 2020, replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which had been in place since January 1994. Under CUSMA, over 98% of tariff lines are eligible for preferential treatment — either duty-free or reduced tariffs — when goods meet the rules of origin. This covers over 99.9% of bilateral trade value in goods

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