CIAC, ACC, and ANIQ, CEOs Call for Action to Strengthen North American Competitiveness Ahead of 2026 CUSMA Review

April 23, 2026

OTTAWA (April 23, 2026) – The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), and the National Association of the Chemical Industry of Mexico (ANIQ), convened senior government officials, industry leaders, and parliamentarians today in Ottawa for an Executive Dialogue on North American Competitiveness and the 2026 review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)1.

Building on trilateral engagement earlier this year in Mexico City, the session focused on the critical role of the chemical and plastics sectors as foundational inputs to North American manufacturing and supply chains, and on the importance of preserving tariff-free, rules-based trade across the region.

During a CEO panel discussion, leaders from CIAC, ACC, and ANIQ emphasized that as governments prepare for the 2026 review, the priority must be to protect the certainty of the Agreement while strengthening its implementation to enhance North America’s global competitiveness.

“CUSMA works, and it works especially well for an integrated sector like chemistry,” said Greg Moffatt, President and CEO of CIAC. “As we approach the review, governments should focus on full implementation and enforcement, not renegotiation. By advancing regulatory cooperation and fully leveraging the Chemical Sectoral Annex, North America can reinforce investment certainty, supply chain resilience, and long-term competitiveness.”

“The USMCA is not just a trade agreement on paper—it is a living framework that enables chemical production, investment, and jobs across North America. Its duty-free market access, science-based rules of origin, and Chemical Sectoral Annex have helped reshore critical chemical production, strengthen integrated supply chains, and reshore U.S. production and trade. Timely renewal and full implementation of the USMCA are essential to maintaining this momentum, safeguarding North American competitiveness, and ensuring our region can compete on a level playing field against non-market economy practices.”

Miguel Bendetto, President of ANIQ, emphasized that the review of the CUSMA represents a strategic opportunity for the governments of Mexico, the United States, and Canada to reinforce the principles that have allowed them to consolidate one of the most dynamic trading regions in the world.

“In light of this process, it is essential that the three countries act with a long-term vision focused on preserving tariff-free trade, strengthening origin verification disciplines, and deepening regulatory cooperation and convergence.”

Throughout the dialogue, speakers emphasized that chemistry is a critical enabler of North America’s industrial base supporting sectors such as energy, automotive, aerospace, agriculture, defence and advanced manufacturing. They also noted that deeper regional integration is essential to maintaining a competitive edge globally.

The event also reinforced the shared commitment of CIAC, ACC, and ANIQ to continue working collaboratively with governments to advance practical, trilateral solutions that strengthen North American supply chains and attract new investment.

Today’s discussion marks an important step in a series of engagements leading up to the 2026 CUSMA review. The three associations will reconvene industry and government leaders for a final Executive Dialogue in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2026, to further advance joint recommendations and support a strong, competitive North American trade framework.

Media Contacts:

Devon Babin,

Chemistry Industry Association of Canada [email protected]

Andrew Fasoli

American Chemistry Council [email protected]