North American Manufacturing Leaders Rally to Preserve CUSMA Amid 2026 Review
Event summary
- Canadian, U.S., and Mexican manufacturing leaders convened in Washington on May 14, 2026 to advocate for preserving CUSMA (USMCA) ahead of its 2026 joint review.
- The North American Manufacturing Conference included high-level participation from trade officials, including Canada's Chief Trade Negotiator to the U.S., the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, and Mexico's Undersecretary of Foreign Trade.
- CME launched a North American trade and tariff survey to gather manufacturer input on CUSMA renewal, with results directly informing trade negotiations.
- Dennis Darby, CME President & CEO, emphasized the essential role of North American co-production in global competitiveness.
The big picture
The rallying of North American manufacturing leaders underscores the critical role of CUSMA in maintaining the region's industrial competitiveness. As the 2026 joint review approaches, the preservation of free trade and integrated supply chains is increasingly seen as essential to the economic strength of Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. The involvement of high-level trade officials signals the strategic importance of aligning priorities across borders to address current challenges and future-proof the agreement.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Alignment
- How the 2026 CUSMA joint review will address evolving trade challenges and whether the agreement can be strengthened to better support integrated supply chains.
- Industry Advocacy
- The impact of manufacturer feedback collected through CME's survey on shaping trade negotiations and policy outcomes.
- Geopolitical Dynamics
- The pace at which North American manufacturing leaders can maintain unity amid potential divergent national interests in trade policy.