English · Première générale · LVA · B1 towards B1+

Session 6: Beyond the borders: the midterms and the Americas

Recap check
  1. Who controls the House after the vote, according to your table? Give your source.
  2. Who controls the Senate? Give your source.
  3. Is the government divided? Explain with your own results.
Answer key
  1. Method: compare your figure with 218, and give the website and the date.
  2. Method: compare with 51 (or 50 + the Vice President, JD Vance).
  3. Method: President Trump is a Republican; if the Democrats control at least one chamber, it is divided government.
Axe 6. Les aires anglophones américaines
Objet d'étude : Le pôle d'attraction nord-américain

Question: Why do Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean follow American elections so closely?

Trade in North America

Compréhension de l'écrit

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force on 1 July 2020.

On 1 July 2026, the three countries held the joint review planned by the agreement. The United States did not agree to renew it in its current form.

The agreement remains in force while the United States negotiates with Mexico and Canada.

Under the Constitution, Congress has the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to lay taxes and duties.

This is one reason why neighbouring countries watch the composition of Congress closely.

Sources: USTR, statement on the USMCA joint review, 1 July 2026 · USTR, USMCA · National Archives, The Constitution, Article I, Section 8

Understand

Compréhension de l'écrit
  1. What is the USMCA, and since when has it been in force?
  2. What happened on 1 July 2026?
  3. Is the agreement over? Explain.
  4. Which powers of Congress concern trade?
  5. Why might Canada and Mexico care about the results of the midterms?
Answer key
  1. A trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada, in force since 1 July 2020.
  2. The joint review: the United States did not agree to renew it in its current form.
  3. No: it remains in force while negotiations go on.
  4. Regulating commerce with foreign nations; laying taxes and duties (Article I, Section 8).
  5. Because Congress has powers over trade and taxes; a new majority might support or oppose the president's trade policy.

Your turn

Médiation

Research in groups: each group reads how one news organisation of the region reported the midterm results (cards below). Note the headline, the date and two pieces of information, then report to the class in English.

Key points

Check: a source and a date; a faithful summary, without adding opinions; the class compares the angles: what does each country focus on (trade, migration, security, tourism)?

News organisations of the region

Pages checked on 4 November 2026. Look for their articles on the midterm results.

CBC News: WorldCanada's public broadcaster. How Canada reports on US news.cbc.ca/news/worldThe Globe and Mail: US politicsCanadian daily newspaper, US politics section.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-politicsMexico News DailyEnglish-language news website about Mexico.mexiconewsdaily.comThe GleanerJamaican daily newspaper, in English.jamaica-gleaner.com

Expanding your vocabulary

Lexique en lien avec les axes culturels · Échanges et influences
WordMeaningExample
a trade agreementa treaty on trade between countriesThe USMCA is a trade agreement.
a tariff, a dutya tax on imported goodsCongress can lay duties.
a trading partnera country you buy from and sell toCanada is a major trading partner.
to renegotiateto discuss a deal again to change itThe US wants to renegotiate the agreement.
a ripple effectconsequences that spread further and furtherAn election can have a ripple effect.
neighbouringnext to, nearNeighbouring countries follow the results.
leveragepower to influence a negotiationA majority in Congress gives leverage.
a knock-on effectan indirect consequenceTariffs have a knock-on effect on prices.

Complete: 1. A ______ is a tax on imports. 2. Canada and Mexico are ______ countries of the United States. 3. One decision can have a ______ effect across the region. 4. The two sides will ______ the deal.

Answer key
  1. tariff (or duty)
  2. neighbouring
  3. ripple (or knock-on)
  4. renegotiate

Grammar

Le présent et le futur pour exprimer une hypothèse · Les auxiliaires de modalité

Real or likely hypothesis: If + present, will / might / may + base verb: If Congress changes its majority, trade talks might change too. Unreal hypothesis: If + preterite, would / could + base verb: If Puerto Rico were a state, it would have two senators. Past regret or hypothesis (B1+): Had the party won more seats, it would have controlled the House.

  1. If the new majority ______ (oppose) tariffs, it ______ (vote) against them. (likely)
  2. If the agreement ______ (end), prices ______ (rise). (possible: might)
  3. If I ______ (be) a Canadian journalist, I ______ (write) about trade. (unreal)
  4. ______ the party ______ (win) four more seats, it would have controlled the chamber. (inversion)
Answer key
  1. opposes, will vote
  2. ends, might rise
  3. were, would write
  4. Had ... won

Production

Expression écrite

Write an article (about 180 words) for a Canadian or Caribbean student newspaper: What the US midterms of 2026 mean for us. Use your own results, one fact about the USMCA, two hypotheses.

Key points

Check: a title; your results with a source; a fact from the documents (in force since 2020, joint review 1 July 2026); two hypotheses (if + present, will / might; if + preterite, would); a conclusion.

Homework

Prepare your role for the final task: choose your point of view and note five facts with their sources.
Key points

Check: five facts, each with a source and a date; no invented figures.