US trade envoy hopes for North America trade options by year-end

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Wednesday that he was hopeful for progress by the end of the year on talks over a North American trade deal, while indicating that negotiations could continue into 2027.

Greer told the Senate Finance Committee that he hoped there could be options before the end of the year for President Donald Trump and the leaders of Canada and Mexico to consider. He said he would like to have at least some arrangements with Canada and Mexico between now and the end of the year.

He added that negotiations among the three parties can take time.

Greer's comments came hours before he was due to travel to Mexico for bilateral talks on the review of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as the USMCA.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration said it would not renew the trade pact in its current form. The source said this means the USMCA remains in force for another 10 years if no country decides to withdraw entirely, although it will face annual reviews.

During his Mexico visit from Wednesday to Friday, Greer was due to meet President Claudia Sheinbaum and Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, according to his office.

The source said US talks have moved more slowly with Canada. Trump on Monday announced a 50-percent tariff on many Canadian goods, a step the source said could strain relations between the countries. Some analysts see the move as a way to gain leverage over Canada in USMCA talks.