Carney names broad team to advise on tense US-Canada trade talks | Canada
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney says: New advisory committee on economic relations Talks with the US will draw on the “best advice and broadest perspectives” as the country prepares for what many expect will be tense trade negotiations with its southern neighbour.
The 24-member advisory committee announced Tuesday demonstrates the prime minister’s willingness to reach across the political spectrum to ensure Canada is “well positioned to advance its interests” in upcoming trade talks.
Those chosen by the prime minister include former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt. Carney also appointed former provincial premiers PJ Akeeagok and Jean Charest, as well as former Canadian high commissioner to the United Kingdom Ralph Goodale. Only four people were retained from the previous council convened by former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Carney also added executives from the banking, rail, energy and agriculture industries to the council, as well as leaders from the auto sectors, the Canadian chamber of commerce and one of the country’s largest unions.
The council will meet for the first time on April 27.
On Sunday, the prime minister released a 10-minute video telling Canadians how the United States, formerly a longtime political and economic ally, has “fundamentally” changed its approach to free trade. He said the US had raised its controversial tariffs to levels “last seen during the Great Depression”.
In a move that seemingly puts Canada first, Donald Trump ordered his government to impose high taxes on Canada’s steel, aluminium, copper, lumber and automotive industries. In response, state leaders pulled American liquor and wine from shelves, and Canadians maintained an unofficial but effective boycott of travel to the United States.
“Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses,” Carney said in his video. “Weaknesses we need to fix.”
A review of the current version of the North American free trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico is scheduled for July.
The prime minister, who recently formed a majority government through transitions and special elections, warned that the upcoming talks could harm Canada’s economy. He said he would give Canadians regular updates on his government’s efforts to move away from the United States.
“Security cannot be achieved by ignoring the obvious threats we Canadians face or by downplaying the real threats,” he said. “I promise you, I will never sugarcoat our difficulties.”
Last Friday, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called the current North American trade agreement negotiated during Trump’s first term a “bad deal” for Americans that could be “let go” this summer. He said Canada’s decision to slow down negotiations was “the worst strategy I’ve ever heard of.”
