Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to establish a new advisory council focusing on Canada-U.S. trade, as per two informed sources. This council will take over from the previous one formed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early 2025. The identities of the sources are being withheld since they lacked authorization to speak publicly.
The former advisory group, assembled by Trudeau, comprised ex-premiers, labor representatives, industry figures, and diplomats. It remains uncertain who Carney will select for his council. Notably, Trudeau initiated a comparable advisory committee during the trilateral discussions that led to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) under former U.S. President Donald Trump. The CUSMA is due for a review this year.
In a recent development, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The joint statement from Greer’s office disclosed plans for an “official bilateral negotiating round” between the U.S. and Mexico in late May.
When questioned about the start of negotiations with Canada, a spokesperson for Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc did not provide a specific timeline but mentioned ongoing engagements with U.S. counterparts. The spokesperson emphasized Canada’s readiness, having submitted proposals to the Americans and expressing willingness to swiftly reach an agreement without causing delays.
Greer had previously suggested splitting the CUSMA into separate bilateral agreements with Canada and Mexico.
Prime Minister Carney recently addressed concerns in a video, highlighting the need to rectify weaknesses in Canada’s relations with the U.S., particularly citing challenges faced by Canadian workers in industries like auto, steel, and lumber due to tariffs imposed by the previous U.S. administration. Carney stressed the urgency to address these vulnerabilities and pledged regular updates on Canada’s efforts to diversify trade relationships.
