Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed former Privy Council clerk Janice Charette to lead Canada’s trade negotiations in anticipation of the upcoming review of the North American trade agreement. Charette will serve as the chief trade negotiator to the United States, as announced by the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday. In this role, she will provide counsel to Carney and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
Carney praised Charette’s exceptional leadership, expertise, and dedication to advancing Canada’s interests. He expressed confidence that she would promote Canadian interests and enhance the trade and investment relationship with the United States for the benefit of workers and industries in both countries.
The appointment of Charette coincides with the government’s preparations for the scheduled review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) this year. It follows the recent assumption of duties by Mark Wiseman, a renowned global investment banker and pension fund manager, as Canada’s new ambassador to Washington.
Charette has previously held prominent positions in Canada’s public service, serving as the Privy Council clerk from 2014 to 2016 and from 2021 to 2023. She also has experience as Canada’s high commissioner to the U.K.
During her second term as Privy Council clerk, Charette recommended the government’s use of the Emergencies Act for the first time to address anti-public health measure protests in Ottawa in 2022. This decision thrust her into the spotlight, leading to her testimony at the Public Order Emergency Commission and her defense of the act’s utilization. She later appeared before the commission investigating foreign election interference.
In response to Charette’s appointment, Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman criticized Carney for not fulfilling the promise of securing tariff relief from the U.S. Lantsman emphasized the need for tangible outcomes to address the job losses in sectors such as auto, lumber, and steel.
Trade negotiations posed a significant challenge for Ottawa during the initial Trump administration, with occasional tensions, but ultimately culminating in the success of CUSMA across all three countries.
However, confidence in CUSMA’s future has diminished since Donald Trump’s return to office. Trump characterized the agreement as “transitional” during a meeting with Carney, suggesting it may have outlived its purpose. He later referred to the deal as “irrelevant” and lacking real benefits for the United States.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hinted at the possibility of dismantling the trilateral agreement and pursuing separate deals with Canada and Mexico. Greer identified various trade concerns with Canada, including the Online Streaming Act, dairy access, and restrictions on the sale of U.S. alcohol.
Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian industries such as steel, aluminum, auto parts, lumber, and energy, as well as on non-CUSMA compliant goods, has further strained relations. Following Carney’s speech in Davos, interpreted as critical of Trump’s foreign policy, the U.S. president threatened additional tariffs on Canadian aircraft.
Additionally, Trump vowed to impede the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and criticized Canada for its recent trade pact with China. Meanwhile, LeBlanc is currently leading a trade mission in Mexico to foster new business opportunities with this CUSMA partner.
