USTR Seeks Public Input on USMCA Automotive Rules
Trade Update • Dec. 10, 2025
Key Points
- USTR opens a new comment period on the USMCA’s automotive provisions.
- Feedback will support the July 026 automotive review required by Congress.
- Stakeholders may provide input on compliance, enforcement, and technology-related changes.
- Comments are due on January 7, 2026, through the USTR online portal.
- The review will assess whether existing automotive rules support North American production.
Thhe Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released a notice requesting public comments on how the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) operates for automotive goods. This feedback will guide the third biennial review of the agreement’s automotive provisions, including how producers meet rules of origin, how those rules are enforced, and whether they continue to reflect advances in production and technology. USTR will submit the completed report to Congress by July 1, 2026.
Reason for the Request
USTR aims to gather information that reflects real-world conditions in North American automotive manufacturing. The agency will use the submissions to evaluate compliance patterns, identify implementation issues, and determine whether the current rules meet the needs of a rapidly changing sector.
Areas for Feedback
According to the notice, the USTR invites detailed feedback from automotive producers, labor groups, and other stakeholders on several areas, including:
How the USMCA functions overall for automotive trade.
Steps taken by vehicle and parts manufacturers to follow the USMCA rules of origin, including:
Meeting Regional Value Content (RVC) requirements for passenger vehicles, light trucks, heavy trucks, and other vehicles or parts.
Complying with North American steel and aluminum sourcing rules.
Following Labor Value Content (LVC) requirements.
Use of alternative staging periods by manufacturers to meet rules of origin.
Enforcement of the rules, including certification processes for steel, aluminum, RVC, and LVC, as well as oversight of alternative staging regimes.
Effectiveness of the current rules in light of technological changes, updated production methods, and evolving automotive products.
Any other relevant insights related to automotive trade under the USMCA.
How to Submit Comments
Submit your written comments through the USTR portal using docket number USTR-2025-0307. All comments must be in English. You do not need an account to submit.
Third-party organizations (e.g., law firms, trade groups, customs brokers) should provide their full legal name and primary contact. Comments may not be considered if the required information is missing.
You can upload documents and mark whether they are business confidential or public. Pages with confidential information must be labeled “BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL,” and you should clearly indicate which parts are confidential. If submitting confidential documents, also provide a public version of your comments.
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