The Indicator from Planet Money · Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Canada is reportedly taken aback by the USMCA renegotiation, adopting a strategy of emphasizing partnership that trade expert Barry Appleton deems ineffective against the US's perceived bullying tactics. Mexico, while engaging in direct negotiations, also prefers to extend the current agreement, highlighting the USMCA's improvements over NAFTA, particularly in areas like financial services and dispute settlement.
“Well, Canada is spending its time feeling like the aggrieved spouse going to marital therapy.”
“Because if you just use market power, uh, is difficult to negotiate with the US. But if you use legal arguments, it's more of a level playing field.”
“Antonio says more so than when NAFTA was being negotiated in the 90s, the talks surrounding the USMCA seem much more adversarial, more zero sum.”