Trump says he has no interest in updating Canada-Mexico trade pact

US President Donald Trump has said he is not interested in updating the North American trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, saying he would “rather be independent” after Washington launched a review of the pact.

Speaking to US media on July 28, Trump was asked whether he planned to “update” the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which entered a review process after the US opted not to renew it last month.

“I don’t care. I mean I don’t really want to. I’d rather be independent,” Trump said, defending his tariff policies and claiming they had encouraged companies to invest in US manufacturing.

“Mexico and Canada need us, we don’t need them,” he added, saying CUSMA was “not important for us.”

Trump’s remarks came as Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc prepared to travel to Washington for talks with US officials following the president’s announcement of new tariffs on Canadian goods.

The measures include 50 per cent tariffs on products such as wine, hockey sticks and cement, with Trump citing disputes over Canadian alcohol restrictions, dairy policies and vehicle tariffs.

CUSMA had previously shielded many Canadian exports from US tariffs, but the latest measures did not include the same exemption.

A recent Angus Reid Institute survey found 62 per cent of Canadians support counter-tariffs, while only 7 per cent said Canada should “capitulate to U.S. demands” to avoid tariffs.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government would take action to protect Canadian interests.

“We will do whatever it takes to defend and support our families, our workers and our businesses,” he said.