The Trump administration formally declared on July 1 that it will not extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, triggering the trade deal's six-year review process under its sunset clause. The decision kicks off a negotiation period during which the three countries must work through the terms of the agreement or risk it expiring entirely.
For produce, the stakes are enormous. USMCA governs the flow of billions of dollars in fresh fruits and vegetables between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada — the same tomatoes, avocados, peppers, and berries that stock American shelves year-round. Any disruption to duty-free access could mean higher costs at every level of the supply chain.
Watch for industry groups to ramp up lobbying pressure as formal negotiations begin. The review process has a defined timeline, but the political dynamics between the three countries will be the real driver of how fast — or how contentiously — this moves.