Global horizons: Your international trade news
Stay informed with JDF-Associates' curated insights into international market opportunities and government actions shaping the global trade landscape for Canadian food manufacturers. We bring you monthly updates designed to help you navigate new frontiers beyond the traditional US market.
February 18, 2026
Canadian Government sees 'huge opportunity' as trade delegation heads to Mexico.
Over 370 delegates and more than 200 businesses seeking new markets are heading to Mexico this week. Lead by Honorable Dominic LeBlanc, the mission, which will see over 370 Canadian delegates and more than 200 businesses will visit Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Canadian trade with Mexico totaled $56 billion in 2024, a 12-fold increase since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into force in 1995. Mexico is Canada’s third-largest trading partner after the U.S. and China.
The mission will focus on areas including advanced manufacturing; agriculture, processed foods, and agricultural technology; clean technologies and clean energy; creative industries; and information and communications technologies.
CUSMA under Review
February 2026
CUSMA is up for review and all three countries are set to begin renegotiations in earnest this summer. The Mexican government has repeatedly stated its commitment to continue with the trilateral trade agreement.
The 2026 CUSMA joint review, scheduled for July, is a mandatory six-year, "check-in" to evaluate the agreement's performance, with options to extend, amend, or initiate annual reviews.
Although a 2026 review is required, the agreement does not automatically cease on that date, but rather marks the beginning of high-stakes negotiations over its long-term future.
