Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to announce the formation of a new advisory council focused on Canada and U.S. trade, as reported by individuals familiar with the situation. This council will replace the previous one established by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in early 2025. The sources providing this information have chosen to remain anonymous as they do not have the authorization to speak publicly.
The former advisory group, put together by Trudeau, consisted of former premiers, labor leaders, industry representatives, and diplomats. It remains uncertain who Carney will select for his council. Trudeau had formed a similar advisory committee during the negotiations that led to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) under former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. This trade agreement is scheduled for review this year.
In recent developments, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday, as outlined in a joint statement released by Greer’s office. The statement disclosed plans for an upcoming “official bilateral negotiating round” between the U.S. and Mexico in late May.
When questioned about the commencement of negotiations, a spokesperson for Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc mentioned ongoing engagements with U.S. counterparts but did not provide a specific timeline. The spokesperson emphasized Canada’s readiness to swiftly reach a deal, highlighting their proactive approach in submitting proposals to the Americans. Greer had previously suggested the possibility of breaking down CUSMA into separate bilateral agreements with Canada and Mexico.
In a video message released on Sunday, Prime Minister Carney expressed concerns about Canada’s vulnerabilities in its relationship with the U.S., particularly regarding workers in industries such as auto, steel, and lumber facing challenges due to tariffs imposed during the Trump era. Carney emphasized the need to address these weaknesses and underscored the changing trade dynamics with the U.S., stressing the importance of corrective actions.
Carney’s video was presented as an opportunity to directly address Canadians about the risks the country is encountering, with promised updates on efforts to diversify trade relationships in the future.