HARDI Backs Changes to U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Pact

A trade group for heating and cooling equipment distributors, HARDI, is backing efforts to revise the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the trade deal that governs how equipment, parts, and materials move between the three countries. HARDI says the rules matter to homeowners indirectly because they affect the supply chains distributors rely on, which can shape product availability, wait times, and prices for heating and cooling equipment.

HARDI's concerns include stopping counterfeit or mislabeled refrigerants from entering the supply chain, and closing loopholes that let companies route parts or finished products through other countries to dodge USMCA rules. The group is aligning with an August 6 letter from U.S. Rep. Rudy Yakym and most House Republicans, sent to the U.S. Trade Representative, pushing for tougher terms when the deal comes up for its scheduled 2026 review.

At a first review meeting on July 1, Mexico and Canada were willing to extend the agreement, but the U.S. was not. That means the USMCA stays in place through 2036 while negotiations continue. The Trump administration reportedly wants firm commitments from Mexico and Canada on market access and other issues before agreeing to renew the deal.

None of this changes anything for your home right now. But because the agreement touches how equipment and refrigerants cross North American borders, the outcome of these talks could eventually influence pricing or supply for heating and cooling systems, something worth keeping an eye on if you're planning a future upgrade.