Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to convene with the provincial leaders in Ottawa later this month, marking the commencement of a significant year as the mandatory review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) gains momentum. Sources familiar with the plans, who requested anonymity, revealed that Carney will chair the first ministers’ gathering on Jan. 29, preceded by a dinner the night before.
Throughout the past year, the prime minister and the premiers have engaged in periodic meetings, often conducted virtually, against the backdrop of the ongoing trade tensions instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The repercussions of Trump’s tariffs persistently impact various Canadian sectors, such as steel, aluminum, and automobiles, fostering economic instability.
Anticipations are high for escalated discussions this year as the CUSMA review process unfolds more vigorously. The U.S. trade representative has already outlined a set of conditions that the administration deems necessary for extending the trade agreement for another 16 years post its 2036 expiry.
In a congressional address last December, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer acknowledged the partial success of CUSMA but underscored the imperative for modifications before Trump’s approval for its extension. Greer highlighted ongoing trade disagreements, encompassing Canada’s dairy quota system, online streaming regulations affecting major tech entities like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, and the persistent boycotts of U.S. alcohol in certain Canadian provinces.
Carney’s upcoming meeting with the provincial leaders coincides with the return of Parliament and follows his recent visit to China, where discussions encompassed trade, energy, agriculture, and international security.