Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to convene with the provincial leaders in Ottawa later this month, marking the beginning of a bustling year as the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) gains momentum.
Sources privy to the plans, who were not authorized to disclose publicly, revealed that Carney will spearhead the first ministers’ gathering on Jan. 29, preceded by a dinner the night before. Throughout the past year, the prime minister has engaged in periodic meetings with the premiers, often conducted virtually, against the backdrop of the trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The repercussions of Trump’s tariffs persistently impact various Canadian sectors such as steel, aluminum, and automotive industries, contributing to economic uncertainties.
Anticipations are rife for heightened discussions this year as the CUSMA review process unfolds vigorously. The U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, has already delineated a set of conditions that the administration deems necessary for extending the trade agreement for an additional 16 years following its expiration in 2036. In a statement to Congress in December, Greer acknowledged the partial success of CUSMA but underscored the imperative need for modifications before Trump’s approval for extension.
Greer specifically cited longstanding trade issues including Canada’s dairy quota system, the legislation concerning online streaming services affecting tech giants like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, as well as the ongoing resistance in certain provinces against U.S. alcohol products.
Carney’s upcoming meeting with the premiers coincides closely with the return of Parliament, setting the stage for critical discussions. This event follows Carney’s recent visit to China, where trade, energy, agriculture, and international security were prominent topics of deliberation.
