Trilateral Canada-US-Mexico Agri-Food Industry Letter Supports Renewal and Strengthening of CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC

The Canadian Sugar Institute (CSI) is pleased to join agricultural and agri-food organizations from across Canada, the United States and Mexico in signing a trilateral industry letter supporting the renewal and strengthening of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), known in the United States as USMCA and in Mexico as T-MEC. 

Read the full letter here.

The joint letter, signed by organizations representing the North American food and agriculture value chain, highlights the critical role CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC plays in supporting integrated agri-food markets, strengthening regional food security, economic resilience and maintaining North America’s global competitiveness.
Preserving the full trilateral framework of the agreement safeguards the North American competitive advantage, encouraging investment across the region and reducing reliance on distant supply chains. The highly integrated nature of North American agriculture and food depends on predictable and cooperative trading relationships among all three countries.

The trilateral letter notes that agricultural trade between Canada, the United States and Mexico has expanded significantly under the agreement, with agrifood trade between the three countries tripling in value between 2005 and 2023 to reach $285 billion. The organizations also emphasized the importance of the agreements provisions that create stability and predictability – all vital elements that farmers and businesses need to plan for the future. 

Preserving the commitments in the trade CUSMA/USMCA/T-MEC also supports regional stability and an environment that can mitigate trade challenges instead of spurring escalation. This is especially important as the entire food and agriculture supply chain is grappling with high input costs, supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and global unrest.

The 156 signatories to the letter emphasize the collective North American reliance on trade and the significance of the agreement to the continued success of the entire North American food and agriculture sector.