U.S. and Mexico Exit Threatens Environmental Cooperation Under USMCA

A landmark trade deal’s green promises unravel as key players abandon the table. Can last-ditch reforms save decades of environmental collaboration before 2026?

, and Administrator

2026 January 10 . 7:05 PM

1 min read

This is the black and white picture with an ocean in the back, in the front there is a path with... — This is the black and white picture with an ocean in the back, in the front there is a path with fence on either side and grass on the land and above its sky.

U.S. and Mexico Exit Threatens Environmental Cooperation Under USMCA

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), established to combat deforestation and promote environmental conservation, is facing an uncertain future as both the U.S. and Mexico prepare to withdraw. This move raises concerns about the future of environmental collaboration under the USMCA trade deal. The commission, designed to strengthen environmental efforts across member nations, now faces uncertainty ahead of its final scheduled session in 2026.

In mid-2023, the CEC released a timeline detailing its review process for modernising cooperation among USMCA countries. The organisation’s goal has been to support environmental targets set under the trade agreement while pushing for deeper institutional reforms. These reforms aim to restore trust, relevance, and flexibility in multilateral efforts.

The White House recently announced its decision to leave the commission but has not explained the reasoning behind the withdrawal. Mexico has followed suit, signalling its exit as well. Despite this, Mexican business group Concanaco-Servytur argues that abandoning forums is not the answer. Instead, it calls for internal transformation to address multilateral challenges effectively. The CEC’s last regular council meeting is set for 24–26 June 2026 in Washington, D.C. Experts see the U.S. withdrawal as another setback for the USMCA, weakening environmental cooperation just as the deal seeks to strengthen it. Meanwhile, Mexico still has a chance to take a leading role by proposing reforms and engaging actively in global discussions.

The departures of the U.S. and Mexico leave the CEC’s future in doubt. With the final session scheduled for 2026, the focus now shifts to whether reforms can revive the commission’s purpose. The outcome will determine how environmental cooperation under USMCA moves forward—or if it stalls entirely.