President Donald Trump cast doubt on the future of the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada, known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (U.S.M.C.A.), suggesting on Wednesday that he might not opt to renew the pact when it comes up for review. His remarks introduced uncertainty into the ongoing negotiations aimed at extending the agreement that has governed North American trade for over three decades.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump questioned the necessity of the pact for the U.S. economy, asserting that America does not need products from Canada or Mexico, the country’s two largest trading partners. “We don’t need anything that Canada has, we don’t need anything that Mexico has, but they need everything that we have,” he said. He added that the U.S. does not require Canadian or Mexican cars, lumber, or energy.

The U.S.M.C.A., which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and was initially signed into law by Trump in January 2020, facilitates approximately $2 trillion in annual trade across the three countries. At the time of its signing, Trump described it as “the fairest, most balanced, and beneficial trade agreement we have ever signed.” Since then, however, his stance has shifted amid continued U.S. trade deficits with both Canada and Mexico.

The current talks have been led by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who recently engaged Mexican officials in preliminary discussions. Mexico’s negotiating team is set to meet Greer in Washington next week. Canada, which has been slower to begin formal negotiations, sent its trade minister to Washington earlier this month and is preparing to commence technical talks.

Industry groups and agricultural leaders have responded with concern to Trump’s comments. Bob Hemesath, chairman of the pro-trade organization Farmers for Free Trade and an Iowa farmer, called the suggestion that the U.S. does not need imports from Canada inconsistent with reality. He noted that Canada supplies 80 percent of U.S. potash imports, a key fertilizer, and that approximately one-third of American agricultural exports go to Canada and Mexico. Hemesath warned that failing to renew and enhance the U.S.M.C.A. would harm American farmers at a critical time.

In Mexico, newly appointed Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri urged a measured response to the U.S. position, emphasizing the mutual benefits of the agreement. “North America is stronger with this treaty,” he told reporters, underscoring Mexico’s commitment to the negotiations.

Canada has not publicly commented on Trump’s recent statements, but the uncertainty adds to the broader debate in Ottawa regarding the country’s economic dependence on the United States. The review of the U.S.M.C.A. is mandated to occur six years after its implementation, which falls on July 1, though talks are expected to continue beyond that date. Discussions so far have included proposals to raise the American content requirements in automobiles covered by the pact and to apply similar rules to other industries.

The outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain as the three countries prepare for further meetings, with U.S. officials traveling to Mexico later this month for another round of talks.