North American Retail Bodies Unite In Support Of USMCA Ahead Of 2026 Review
Retail organizations from the United States, Canada and Mexico have reaffirmed their strong support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA/CUSMA), stressing the need to preserve and strengthen the trilateral trade framework ahead of its scheduled 2026 review.
During a recent visit to Washington, the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) met with the National Retail Federation (NRF) to discuss key priorities surrounding the agreement. In a joint statement, Kim Furlong, President and CEO of RCC; Matthew Shay, President and CEO of NRF and Diego Cosio Barto, Executive President and CEO of ANTAD, emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in North America’s integrated retail ecosystem.
“As our nations approach the 2026 review of the USMCA/CUSMA, we stand united in our support for the North American commercial partnership. Our primary message to our respective governments is clear: Above all else, do no harm,” the leaders stated.
They highlighted that the deeply interconnected retail supply chains across the three countries have significantly enhanced consumer access, affordability and business growth, adding that the upcoming review should be viewed as an opportunity to refine and strengthen an already successful agreement rather than disrupt its foundation.
The organizations further stressed that preserving the trilateral nature of the agreement is essential to ensuring stability and global competitiveness, while the seamless movement of goods, investments, people and ideas must continue without disruption to sustain decades of cooperation. They also underscored the importance of maintaining tariff-free trade for compliant goods, noting that predictability in trade costs remains critical to ensuring affordability for consumers.
NRF, RCC and ANTAD reaffirmed their commitment to actively engage throughout the review process, working to ensure that the North American retail environment remains resilient, competitive and beneficial for both businesses and consumers across all three nations.
