Business leaders call for swift renewal of USMCA following USTR hearing in Washington 

Today, Business Council of Canada (BCC) President and CEO Goldy Hyder testified before the Office United States Trade Representative (USTR), urging a timely review and renewal of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). His intervention underscored the critical importance of the agreement to North American competitiveness, long-term investment and economic security. The testimony comes just one month after the BCC provided a detailed submission to all three countries.  

“The livelihoods of American, Mexican and Canadian workers and their families depend on the continued, certain and predictable operation of USMCA,” Hyder told USTR officials.   

Why USMCA matters — and why now 

In its submission to the USTR, the BCC emphasized that the USMCA, which replaced the former North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has already delivered superior performance across trade and investment since coming into force.   

• Stability & predictability: The trilateral agreement has provided a foundation for long-term cross-border investment, allowing businesses to plan with confidence.   

• Economic integration and growth: North America remains among the most economically productive regions globally. The USMCA has reinforced that by enabling seamless trade and supply-chain integration among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.   

• Need for renewal: As the first formal review approaches, the BCC argues this is not the time for dismantling or weakening the deal but for reaffirming it, preserving continuity and minimising uncertainty for businesses.   

Hyder’s testimony before the USTR reinforced that any delay or derailing of the USMCA review could further undermine investor confidence and disrupt integrated North American supply chains — a serious risk to jobs, trade, and economic growth across the continent. 

Joint leadership from business across the continent: trilateral statement 

Earlier today, the BCC along with two North American partners, the U.S.-based Business Roundtable (BRT) and the Consejo Mexicano de Negocios (CMN), issued a joint statement calling on all three governments to commit to a swift and successful USMCA review and renewal. 

This tri-national unity sends a strong signal: the private sector, representing millions of workers and trillions in investments, speaks with one voice in favour of continued, stable, rules-based North American trade.