Update: On November 7, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued a notice rescheduling the public hearing on the operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). Originally scheduled for November 17, the hearing will now take place from December 3 to 5, 2025, in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
_________
On September 17, 2025, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued a Federal Register notice formally seeking public comment on the operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada (USMCA). The USTR is seeking public comment that will assist the Trump administration’s statutorily mandated review of the USMCA next year and in advance of the joint review to be held among the three countries on July 1, 2026. Public comments will be accepted until November 3, 2025.
The USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020, and contains a clause requiring that the parties meet on the sixth anniversary of the agreement to conduct a joint review of the operation of the agreement, evaluate any recommendations for action submitted by a party, and decide on any appropriate actions. Before the joint review, the USTR is required to provide an opportunity for public comments relating to the operation of the USMCA, including a public hearing. In particular, the USTR invites comments regarding:
- Any aspect of the operation or implementation of the USMCA.
- Any issues of compliance with the agreement.
- Recommendations for specific actions that the USTR should propose ahead of the Joint Review to promote balanced trade, new market access, and alignment on economic security with Mexico and Canada.
- Factors affecting the investment climate in North America and in the territories of each party, as well as the effectiveness of the USMCA in promoting investment that strengthens U.S. competitiveness, productivity, and technological leadership.
- Strategies for strengthening North American economic security and competitiveness, including collaborative work under the Competitiveness Committee, and cooperation on issues related to non-market policies and practices of other countries.
The deadline for submitting written comments and any requests to appear at the hearing is November 3, 2025. All written comments must be submitted to the docket “Request for Comments on the Operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada,” Docket number USTR-2025-0004, using the electronic portal at https://comments.ustr.gov/s/. The request to appear at the hearing must include a summary of testimony and may be accompanied by a prehearing submission. Remarks at the hearing are limited to five minutes to allow for possible questions. Interested persons must submit their request to appear and a summary of the testimony using the docket “Request to Appear at the Hearing on the Operation of the Agreement between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada,” Docket number USTR-2025-0005, using the same USTR electronic portal.
On November 17, 2025, the USTR will host a public hearing in the main hearing room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. If necessary, the hearing may continue the next business day. No later than seven calendar days after the last day of the public hearing, the submission of any post-hearing rebuttal comments are due and should be submitted on Docket number USTR-2025-0004.
