Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to convene with provincial leaders in Ottawa later this month, initiating a busy period as the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) gains momentum. Carney will preside over the first ministers’ gathering on Jan. 29, preceded by a dinner the evening before, as disclosed by sources familiar with the arrangements but not authorized to speak publicly. Throughout the past year, the prime minister and provincial leaders have engaged in periodic discussions, often through virtual means, against the backdrop of the trade tensions instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The repercussions of Trump’s tariffs persistently affect sectors in Canada, notably steel, aluminum, and automotive industries, casting a shadow of economic instability.
Anticipations are set for escalated deliberations this year, especially as the CUSMA review gains traction. The U.S. trade representative has delineated a set of prerequisites that the administration deems necessary for extending the trade agreement for an additional 16 years beyond its expiration in 2036. In a recent address to Congress in December, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer acknowledged the partial success of CUSMA but emphasized the imperative for modifications before President Trump consents to its extension. Greer cited prevailing trade disputes, including Canada’s dairy quota system, online streaming legislation affecting tech giants like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, and the ongoing resistance in certain provinces towards U.S. alcohol products.
Carney’s upcoming meeting with provincial leaders coincides with Parliament’s resumption and follows his recent visit to China, where discussions encompassed trade, energy, agriculture, and global security matters.