Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to convene with the provincial leaders in Ottawa later this month, marking the commencement of a busy period focused on the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Sources privy to the arrangements, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that Carney will chair the first ministers’ gathering on Jan. 29, preceded by a dinner the evening prior.
Throughout the past year, the prime minister and the premiers have engaged in periodic meetings, often in virtual formats, amidst the backdrop of the trade conflict instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The repercussions of Trump’s tariffs persistently impact Canadian industries such as steel, aluminum, and automobiles, fostering economic unpredictability.
Anticipations are high for escalated discussions this year, particularly with the CUSMA review gaining momentum. The U.S. administration has already outlined a set of conditions that must be met for an additional 16-year extension of the agreement beyond its 2036 termination. In a recent address to Congress, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer acknowledged the partial success of CUSMA but emphasized the necessity for modifications before Trump consents to prolong it. Greer highlighted persistent trade disputes, including Canada’s dairy quota system, online streaming regulations affecting major tech firms like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, as well as the ongoing resistance in certain provinces against U.S. alcohol products.
Carney’s impending meeting with the premiers coincides with the return of Parliament and follows his recent visit to China, where discussions encompassed trade, energy, agriculture, and international security.