Recent employment data for tariff-exposed industries like motor vehicle and parts manufacturing demonstrates the importance of CUSMA to Canadian businesses. Motor vehicle and parts manufacturing experienced a significant decline in employment since January 2025, with employment declining nearly 6 percent from January 2025 to March 2026. While it may not be realistic for Canada-US trade to remain tariff-free following the CUSMA review and renewal, Canada must maintain preferential access to the US market for manufacturing sectors dependent on the US market.
Note: “All Other Industries” includes all industrial goods and services sectors (NAICS 00 – 91N), including unclassified businesses, but excludes motor vehicle manufacturing, motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing, motor vehicle parts manufacturing, and industries primarily involved in agriculture, fishing and trapping, private household services, religious organizations, and the military personnel of the defence services.
