Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to establish a new advisory council for Canada and U.S. trade, as reported by reliable sources. This council will replace the one initiated by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early 2025. The composition of Carney’s council remains undisclosed, unlike the previous group which included former premiers, labor leaders, industry representatives, and diplomats.
Trudeau had formed a similar advisory committee during the negotiations leading to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) under former U.S. President Donald Trump. Currently, the CUSMA is up for review this year. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently met with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, indicating an upcoming official bilateral negotiating round between the U.S. and Mexico in late May.
In response to inquiries about negotiation start dates, a spokesperson for Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc mentioned ongoing engagements with U.S. counterparts. The spokesperson assured that Canada is prepared and has submitted proposals to the U.S., expressing readiness to swiftly reach a deal without causing delays.
Greer had previously suggested breaking the CUSMA into separate bilateral agreements with Canada and Mexico. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Carney emphasized in a video message the need to address the weaknesses in Canada’s relations with the U.S., particularly citing challenges faced by workers in the auto, steel, and lumber industries due to tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. Carney highlighted the necessity to correct these weaknesses and promised regular updates on Canada’s efforts to diversify its trade relations.