Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce the formation of a new advisory council focused on Canada-U.S. trade on Tuesday, as revealed by two insiders knowledgeable about the development. This council will take over from the one established by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early 2025. The sources providing this information have chosen to remain anonymous as they are not authorized to speak publicly.
The previous advisory group, put together by Trudeau, consisted of former premiers, labor representatives, industry stakeholders, and diplomats. The composition of Carney’s council remains undisclosed at this point.
During the negotiations that led to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) under former U.S. President Donald Trump, Trudeau formed a similar advisory committee. This trade agreement is scheduled for a review this year.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer recently held discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, as per a joint statement released by Greer’s office. The statement indicated plans for an “official bilateral negotiating round” between the U.S. and Mexico in late May.
When questioned about the official commencement date for negotiations, 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 to swiftly reach a deal and assured that any delays would not originate from their side.
Greer had previously suggested the possibility of splitting CUSMA into separate bilateral agreements with Canada and Mexico.
In a video released on Sunday, Prime Minister Carney addressed the need to rectify the weakening ties between Canada and the U.S., highlighting the ongoing threat to workers in industries such as auto, steel, and lumber due to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Carney emphasized the importance of addressing these weaknesses and outlined plans for regular updates on Canada’s efforts to diversify its trade relations.