“We don’t need cars made in Canada, we don’t need cars made in Mexico, we want to make them here,” U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters Tuesday during a visit to Ford’s Dearborn plant, dismissing the relevance of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). He added that while Canada might welcome the trade deal, it offers no real advantage to the United States and is “irrelevant” to his administration.
The president’s visit focused on the production of Ford’s flagship F-150 pickup trucks, a cornerstone of U.S. manufacturing. Trump used the stop to highlight his administration’s commitment to domestic job growth and counter concerns over a weakening labor market.
CUSMA, which replaced NAFTA, is scheduled for mandatory review this year, with formal negotiations planned for mid-January ahead of a July deadline. While the agreement has helped Canada shield its economy from widespread tariff impacts, sectors such as steel, aluminum, lumber, and automotive have experienced notable strain.
Analysts say Trump’s remarks underscore ongoing tensions over North American trade policy and the administration’s push to prioritize “Made in America” production. His comments come at a critical time as both Canada and Mexico prepare for CUSMA discussions that could influence trade relations for the coming years.
The president’s visit reinforces his broader messaging on economic nationalism and the importance of maintaining U.S. manufacturing strength, signaling continued focus on policies aimed at securing domestic jobs and reshaping cross-border trade.
