Former U.S. State Department official optimistic CUSMA will be renewed

The U.S. has created a new deal with China, leaving some Canadians wondering what will happen to CUSMA. Kamil Karamali reports.

CALGARY — A former U.S. State Department official says he’s optimistic the Canada-U.S.-Mexico free trade agreement will be renewed.

Edward Fishman, author of “Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare” shared his outlook during a luncheon hosted by the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business.

The Columbia University adjunct professor says he can imagine Canadians feel like “sitting ducks” as their closest trading partner bombards adversaries and allies alike with tariff threats.

But he says the trading relationship doesn’t just flow one way and the U.S. would suffer significant economic harm if trade with Canada were to be cut off.

Fishman says U.S. political and business leaders — even those with a conservative bent — feel strongly about the importance of cross-border trade and are likely to temper President Donald Trump’s daily whims.

He says the countries that have been best able to withstand U.S. tariffs have been the ones that have shown the most resolve, resilience and willingness to retaliate, citing India, Brazil and China as examples.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2026.

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press