The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is asking for public input on how the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is working, ahead of the agreement’s 2027 annual joint review. USTR announced the request on October 2, 2026, and the formal notice was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2026.
Written comments and requests to testify at a public hearing are due by January 12, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Why This Review Matters
At the first joint review on July 1, 2026, the United States declined to extend USMCA for a new 16-year term. Alba covered that decision in U.S. Declines to Renew USMCA During First Joint Review.
The agreement did not end. USMCA, which took effect July 1, 2020, remains in force, but it now moves to annual joint reviews. Those reviews continue each year until all three countries agree to an extension or the agreement reaches its scheduled end date of July 1, 2036.
That means USMCA terms are back on the table every year. The 2027 review is the next opportunity for the United States to press for changes, and this comment request is how USTR builds its positions.
What USTR Wants to Hear
USTR is seeking comments on:
- How USMCA is operating and being implemented
- Compliance concerns involving Mexico or Canada
- Recommended U.S. positions for the joint review
- Investment conditions and U.S. competitiveness in North America
- North American economic security, including how the three countries address non-market policies of other countries
Why U.S. Importers Should Pay Attention
Importers that claim duty-free USMCA treatment on goods from Mexico or Canada have the most at stake. Changes negotiated through the annual reviews could affect rules of origin, certification requirements and the cost of qualifying for preferential treatment.
This is especially relevant for importers of:
- Fresh produce and food products sourced from Mexico
- Textiles and apparel that rely on regional yarn and fabric
- Auto parts and other manufactured goods with North American supply chains
Because the agreement is now reviewed every year rather than locked in for 16 years, sourcing decisions built around USMCA benefits carry more policy risk than before.
How to Participate
- Written comments: Submit through USTR’s comment portal under docket USTR-2026-0595 by January 12, 2027.
- Hearing requests: Submit under docket USTR-2026-0596 by January 12, 2027. Oral testimony is limited to five minutes per speaker.
- Hearing date: USTR will post the date and location on its website.
- Rebuttal comments: Due seven calendar days after the last day of the hearing.
- Confidential information: Business confidential material must be clearly marked, and a public version must also be filed. Confidential information is not permitted in hearing testimony.
What Importers Should Do Now
- Identify which imports currently enter duty-free under USMCA and their annual duty savings.
- Review whether those goods would still qualify if rules of origin were tightened.
- Decide whether to submit comments directly or through a trade association.
- Document compliance or market-access problems you have encountered with Mexico or Canada.
- Calendar the January 12, 2027 deadline and watch for the hearing date.
- Factor annual USMCA review risk into longer-term sourcing and supplier contracts.
ASK Alba™: Contact the Alba team for help reviewing your USMCA claims, assessing rules-of-origin exposure or preparing for changes that may come out of the annual reviews.
Subscribe to the ASK Alba™ Trade Brief for the latest tariff, trade-agreement and customs-compliance updates.
References
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Request for Public Comments and Notice of Public Hearing Relating to the Operation of the Agreement Between the United States of America, the United Mexican States, and Canada. 91 FR 63379 (October 5, 2026).
- Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. USTR Seeks Public Comment on the 2027 Joint Review of USMCA. Press release, October 2, 2026.
- Alba Wheels Up. U.S. Declines to Renew USMCA During First Joint Review: What Importers Need to Know. July 7, 2026.
