Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley criticized Zohran Mamdani's guidance on reducing electricity use during a heat wave, calling it socialism. Mamdani had urged New Yorkers to conserve energy to ensure grid stability and save lives as temperatures climbed. The heat wave is expected to push temperatures into the 90s and potentially reach 100 degrees in Central Park for the first time since 2012.

Mamdani's Energy Conservation Message

On Wednesday, Mamdani posted on X urging residents to reduce electricity use during extreme heat. He advised setting air conditioning to 78 degrees, turning off unused lights and electronics, and unplugging non-essential devices. Mamdani stated that the city was maintaining the 78 degrees rule in buildings, dimming lights during peak demand, and powering down non-essential equipment.

"A stable grid means the AC stays on, and lives are saved. Let's ease demand — and get through the heat — together," Mamdani said.

Haley's Response

Haley responded on X by sharing Mamdani's post and writing, "Welcome to socialism." The exchange occurred as a heat wave prompted extreme heat warnings across the region. Forecasters warned that the combination of heat and humidity could be dangerous.

Power Emergency and Broader Impact

On Tuesday, the Trump administration declared a power emergency as a major heat wave threatened millions across the U.S. PJM Interconnection and the Department of Energy authorized extra electricity generation to protect grid reliability through July 3. Triple-digit temperatures driven by a "heat dome" strained power systems across states including New York and Michigan.

Economist Robert Reich noted that the extreme heat placed more than 200 million Americans under advisories. He warned that blue-collar workers faced the highest risk due to limited protection in outdoor and industrial jobs.

The Trump administration on Wednesday declined to renew the trilateral treaty agreement with Mexico and Canada in its current form during a scheduled six-year review, with the countries now expected to continue negotiations over proposed changes. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the United States did not agree to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form following a virtual meeting with counterparts from Mexico and Canada. The agreement will remain in force while the three countries continue discussions to address what Washington described as shortcomings in the treaty and U.S. trade deficits with its North American trading partners.

US Says Current USMCA Needs Changes

The USMCA governs trade among the three countries and replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement in 2020. Greer indicated that the U.S. aims to address specific economic concerns rather than extending the pact as is. The U.S. is scheduled to hold a third round of bilateral negotiations with Mexico during the week of July 20. In December, Greer had hinted that the Trump administration was weighing a potential withdrawal from the USMCA in 2026, although no formal move has since been announced.

Canada, Mexico Back Continued Negotiations

Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said the treaty provided two possibilities: it could extend the agreement for another 16 years with unanimous approval, or keep it in force through 2036 with annual reviews. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc reaffirmed Canada’s support for renewing the agreement, saying the three countries had agreed to continue discussions to ensure North America’s trade framework supports "prosperity and competitiveness." He added that Canada would continue discussions with the U.S. on sectoral tariffs covering steel, aluminum, autos and lumber.

Why It Matters

The USMCA governs roughly $1.6 trillion in annual trade across North America. Last month, President Donald Trump criticized the USMCA, saying the U.S. ran trade deficits with both Canada and Mexico rather than surpluses, adding that the agreement should deliver better terms for the U.S. The decision to shift negotiations introduces uncertainty for businesses, though the agreement remains active during talks.