The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement is back in the headlines as Republicans debate whether to renew a pact many see as failing American workers, and a new ad campaign is publicly blaming Canada and Mexico for skirting their obligations and harming U.S. security.
The USMCA replaced parts of NAFTA with the goal of protecting American manufacturing and blue-collar jobs, but critics say it never fully delivered for workers who felt left behind. Skepticism about big trade deals is now mainstream across party lines, and that frustration helped reshape politics in recent years. The debate over whether to renew the agreement has become a clear test of priorities for conservatives who want tough borders and fair trade.
USMCA is due for review next month, and the timing is tense. The president has publicly said he might prefer to see the agreement lapse rather than keep a flawed deal that lets partners take advantage of the United States. Congressional Republicans, meanwhile, are pushing to preserve and update the pact, arguing continuity matters for businesses and supply chains.
Why it matters: The free trade pact that binds North America is up for review next month. The risk of the deal collapsing now appears greater than before.
What they’re saying: “I’m thinking about maybe we won’t be able to make a deal. I would rather not have the USMCA,” Trump told reporters in Paris, referring to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
“I’d rather leave it unsigned, I’d rather have it terminated,” the president said — though he added that he “may sign it.”
“We do better as a country if we don’t have an agreement.”
Into that opening steps Build America’s Future, a nonprofit linked to Elon Musk, which has rolled out a new ad campaign aimed squarely at Canada and Mexico for what it calls abuse of the USMCA. The group’s messaging accuses both neighbors of failing to uphold border controls and trade rules while undermining U.S. efforts on security and law enforcement. The tone is blunt and designed to press the White House and Congress to take a harder stance.
Canada and Mexico are abusing the USMCA.
Right now, organized crime thrives on tribal lands, illicit products breach our borders, and American lives are on the line. They’re not holding up their end of the bargain, and it’s threatening President Trump’s historic progress. The President knows a good deal gone bad, and he’s not afraid to straighten it out. President Trump: Negotiating for a stronger America,
The ad’s argument is straightforward: if partners won’t play by the rules, the United States should stop carrying the tab. That connects directly with conservative priorities around border security and law and order, where voters expect action rather than platitudes. For Republicans who feel trade deals have too often favored multinational firms over American workers, this ad lands squarely where it hurts.
There are real policy choices at stake beyond the rhetoric. Letting USMCA expire would create uncertainty for manufacturers and farmers who rely on cross-border supply chains, and it could prompt retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico. On the other hand, pushing for stricter enforcement and new terms could force concessions that improve labor standards and reduce smuggling across the continent.
Supporters of the ad say strong pressure is the right lever because traditional diplomacy and quiet negotiations haven’t solved persistent issues like illicit trafficking and uneven enforcement. Critics warn that public scorched-earth tactics could backfire, making cooperation on energy, tariffs, and security harder to sustain. That tension is exactly what makes the coming review such a crucial Republican moment.
Whatever happens next, the conversation has shifted from abstract trade theory to concrete security and jobs concerns that voters understand. Conservatives who favor a tough approach argue the president has leverage and should use it to extract meaningful enforcement commitments. Others in the party urge caution, noting that abrupt policy shifts can have unintended consequences for American households and businesses.
For now, the ad blitz guarantees the USMCA will not be treated as business as usual. It puts pressure on negotiators to show results and gives the president political cover if he opts for a hard line. That posture appeals to many Republican voters who want leadership that prioritizes American interests first and is willing to call out partners that don’t hold up their end of the bargain.
