The Indicator from Planet Money · Wednesday, July 1, 2026
International trade expert Barry Appleton explains that the US, Mexico, and Canada have three options for the USMCA: they can lock in the current agreement for 16 years (Option A), allow it to go into a 10-year review period leading to potential renegotiation (Option B), or any party can withdraw from the agreement with six months' notice (Option C).
“Barry says the US, Mexico, and Canada basically have three options.”
“Option A, they can decide to lock in the current agreement for 16 years.”
“It's not like the agreement falls off a cliff. Really, it's more like a very long down escalator.”
“With six months notice, any party can withdraw from the USMCA.”