07.10.2026 Regulation #USA #Import #Export #Trade agreements
USTR seeks comments on USMCA joint review, due January 12, 2027
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has started public consultations ahead of the 2027 annual joint review of the USMCA. The notice was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 2026 (document 2026-20341). Written comments and requests to appear at the hearing are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on January 12, 2027.
Why the review will be annual
The USMCA entered into force on July 1, 2020. Under Article 34.7.1, the agreement terminates after 16 years, on July 1, 2036, unless each Party confirms that it wishes to continue it for a new 16-year term.
The Free Trade Commission convened for the first joint review on July 1, 2026. According to the notice, the United States did not agree at that meeting to extend the agreement for a new 16-year term. Under Articles 34.7.4–6, the Commission will therefore review the agreement every year. Reviews continue until all three Parties confirm an extension or the term expires, whichever comes first.
Topics USTR wants addressed
The notice invites comments on:
- any aspect of the operation or implementation of the USMCA;
- issues of compliance with the agreement;
- recommendations for specific actions USTR should propose ahead of the joint review;
- factors affecting the investment climate in North America and the agreement's effectiveness in promoting investment;
- strategies for strengthening North American economic security and cooperation on non-market policies and practices of other countries.
The first item is as broad as it gets, "any aspect of the operation or implementation of the USMCA", so comments are not confined to particular chapters of the agreement.
How to file or testify
Under the notice, all materials go through the comments.ustr.gov portal. No account is needed, and submissions must be in English.
- USTR-2026-0595 is the docket for written comments and for post-hearing rebuttal comments.
- USTR-2026-0596 is the docket for requests to appear, which must include a summary of testimony. A prehearing submission may be attached.
- Remarks at the hearing are limited to five minutes to leave room for questions.
- Small businesses (generally firms with fewer than 500 employees under the SBA definition) and organizations representing them should self-identify in their comments.
- Law firms, trade associations and customs brokers should give the full legal name of the organization they represent and a primary point of contact.
- Pages containing business confidential information (BCI) must be marked "BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL", and a public version must accompany any submission with BCI. The hearing is public, so testimony should not include BCI.
Hearing date and rebuttal window
The date and location of the hearing will be posted on the USTR website, the notice says. Rebuttal comments are accepted within seven calendar days after the last day of the hearing, until 11:59 p.m. EST. They must be limited to rebutting or supplementing testimony given at the hearing.
The key date for business is 11:59 p.m. EST on January 12, 2027, the cut-off for both written comments and requests to appear; submissions containing BCI must be accompanied by a public version.
Primary sources
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.