Prime Minister Mark Carney has tapped former Privy Council clerk Janice Charette to take charge of Canada’s trade negotiations as the country gears up for a review of the North American trade agreement.
Charette’s role is chief trade negotiator for the United States, according to a news release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued on Monday. She will serve as a senior adviser to Carney and Canada-U. S. Trade Minister Dominic Le Blanc.
“Charette brings extraordinary leadership, expertise and a deep commitment to advancing Canada’s interests,” Carney said in the release. “She will advance Canadian interests and a strengthened trade and investment relationship that benefits workers and industries in both Canada and the United States.”
This announcement comes as the federal government gets ready for an upcoming review of the Canada-U. S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) set for this year.
Charette has held top positions in Canada’s public service twice – from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2021 to 2023. Before that, she was Canada’s high commissioner to the U. K.
During her second term as Privy Council clerk, Charette advised the government on using the Emergencies Act for the first time, aiming to resolve protests against public health measures that had paralyzed downtown Ottawa in 2022.
This decision put her in a prominent position when she was called to testify at last fall’s Public Order Emergency Commission, where she defended her recommendation for utilizing the act. She also appeared before another commission investigating foreign election interference.
WATCH | CUSMA: It’s gonna be forever or it’s gonna go down in flames:
CUSMA: It’s gonna be forever or it’s gonna go down in flames
An upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) could bring significant changes to North American trade. For The National, CBC’s Lyndsay Duncombe explains how it might unfold and how businesses are preparing for possible shifts.
Trade negotiations were quite challenging for Ottawa during Trump’s first administration. While discussions were tense at times, CUSMA ultimately received praise across all three countries involved.
Trump says CUSMA is ‘irrelevant,’ targets auto trade with CanadaU. S. President Donald Trump visited a Ford Motor Company plant in Michigan on Tuesday where he criticized CUSMA again saying it offers no substantial benefits for America while labeling it ‘irrelevant.’ These remarks come amid his push for companies to shift manufacturing back within U. S. borders – which could greatly impact Canada’s auto sector.
Over this past year, Trump has imposed tariffs on key Canadian sectors like steel, aluminum , auto parts , lumber , and energy – along with taxes on goods not compliant with CUSMA standards.
Following Carney’s speech at Davos last month – which many interpreted as criticism of Trump’s foreign policy-Trump threatened additional tariffs specifically targeting Canadian aircrafts.
Last week , he vowed to prevent opening up Gordie Howe International Bridge-setto become new border crossing between Windsor , Ont., and Detroit.
The president also criticized Canada recently over its new trade deal reached with China last month.
Le Blanc is currently leading a trade mission in Mexico seeking new business agreements relatedto that CUSMA partner.
Source link
CUSMA: It’s gonna be forever or it’s gonna go down in flames
An upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) could bring significant changes to North American trade. For The National, CBC’s Lyndsay Duncombe explains how it might unfold and how businesses are preparing for possible shifts.
Trade negotiations were quite challenging for Ottawa during Trump’s first administration. While discussions were tense at times, CUSMA ultimately received praise across all three countries involved.
Trump’s views on CUSMA
However, since Donald Trump’s return as president, confidence regarding CUSMA’s future has diminished. D uring a meeting with Carney at the White House, Trump referred to the deal as “transitional,” suggesting it may have fulfilled its purpose. A month ago, Trump dismissed CUSMA as “irrelevant,” claiming it provided “no real advantage” for the United States. U. S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer mentioned late last year that Trump’s administration is considering splitting up the three-way agreement in favor of separate deals with Canada and Mexico. S peaking before Congress in December, Greer highlighted several trade issues with Canada including concerns over The Online Streaming Act, dairy access disputes, and provincial restrictions on U. S. alcohol sales. WATCH | Trump says CUSMA is ‘irrelevant,’ targets auto trade with Canada:
Trump says CUSMA is ‘irrelevant,’ targets auto trade with CanadaU. S. President Donald Trump visited a Ford Motor Company plant in Michigan on Tuesday where he criticized CUSMA again saying it offers no substantial benefits for America while labeling it ‘irrelevant.’ These remarks come amid his push for companies to shift manufacturing back within U. S. borders – which could greatly impact Canada’s auto sector.
Over this past year, Trump has imposed tariffs on key Canadian sectors like steel, aluminum , auto parts , lumber , and energy – along with taxes on goods not compliant with CUSMA standards.
Following Carney’s speech at Davos last month – which many interpreted as criticism of Trump’s foreign policy-Trump threatened additional tariffs specifically targeting Canadian aircrafts.
Last week , he vowed to prevent opening up Gordie Howe International Bridge-setto become new border crossing between Windsor , Ont., and Detroit.
The president also criticized Canada recently over its new trade deal reached with China last month.
Le Blanc is currently leading a trade mission in Mexico seeking new business agreements relatedto that CUSMA partner.Source link
