President Donald Trump is privately weighing whether to withdraw from the North American trade pact, people familiar with the matter said, creating fresh uncertainty during pivotal renegotiations with Canada and Mexico. The president has asked aides why he shouldn't exit the agreement he signed during his first term, though he hasn't definitively signaled withdrawal, according to anonymous sources.

A White House official described Trump as the ultimate decision-maker who constantly seeks better deals for Americans, dismissing discussion of potential action as baseless speculation before any presidential announcement. The trade pact, which eliminated most tariffs between the three nations, has been a cornerstone of North American commerce for decades. Trump's previous threats to exit the agreement helped force negotiations that ultimately produced the USMCA, which took effect in 2020.

This latest deliberation comes as the administration pushes for changes to the USMCA that would favor American manufacturing and reduce trade deficits. The uncertainty threatens to disrupt supply chains and create volatility in markets already sensitive to trade policy shifts. Business leaders across North America are watching closely as the administration's negotiating position remains unclear.