Canada to announce new advisory council to US trade negotiations

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to unveil a new advisory council focused on Canada-US trade relations as Ottawa attempts to salvage Canadian-US trade amidst Donald Trump's aggressive tariffs. According to reports, the council will bring together major business leaders, labour representatives and former politicians to advise the federal government ahead of the scheduled review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The CUSMA is due for a formal review on July 1, 2026, with Canada, the US, and Mexico given the opportunity to extend the deal's expiration to 2042. Currently, the deal is set to expire July 1, 2036, exactly 16 years after it was initially signed.

While the entire list of figures present on the council has yet to be announced, the Government of Canada first announced the advisory committee in April 2026, and released a partial list of members. Members reportedly include Conservative leader Erin O'Toole, former Quebec premier Jean Charest, and other representatives from sectors such as energy, manufacturing and forestry. There are also multiple high-level Canadian executives present on the list released by the Prime Minister's office on April 21. The committee will be chaired by Dominic LeBlanc, who currently serves as minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade and intergovernmental affairs. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the council's role will be to provide strategic advice and industry expertise as Canada prepares for negotiations under the umbrella of Donald Trump's renewed tariff threats.

The creation of the council reflects growing anxiety in Ottawa regarding the future of Canada's trade relationship with the United States. Since returning to office, Donald Trump has continuously threatened new tariffs on several major industries while pushing for tougher trade concessions from allies. Canadian sectors like steel, aluminum, automotive manufacturing and critical minerals have been most heavily impacted, while US lumber and alcohol sectors have seen massive hits due to retaliatory tariffs and restrictions from Canada. So far, the tariffs have hurt both countries, with no winners emerging. Carney has repeatedly argued that Canada must maintain strong access to American markets while simultaneously reducing economic dependence on the United States. His government has increasingly promoted what it calls a “resilience strategy,” focused on strengthening partnerships with Europe and Asia while preparing for difficult negotiations with Washington over continental trade and supply chains.

Out with the old in with the new

The new council replaces the previous Council on Canada-U.S. Relations established under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2025. While Trudeau's council focused heavily on managing tensions during Trump's second presidency, Carney has attempted to reshape the group into a broader economic advisory body. Several members from the old council were removed, while new figures tied to energy, defence technology and organized labour were added. According to reports, Carney wanted the new committee to better reflect industries most vulnerable to American tariffs and trade disruptions. The council held its first meeting in late April, where members discussed Canada's priorities ahead of the CUSMA review process scheduled to begin this summer.

Traveling Carney

Carney has spent much of his first year as prime minister travelling the world in attempts to become less reliant on American trade. Carney has stressed the need for “global middle powers” to band together and use their collective strength to become less reliant on global superpowers like the US, China, and Russia. Carney has spent the past year travelling the world, taking 26 trips abroad. Carney signed MOU's with at least three countries this year in an attempt to cement future deals in at-risk sectors. However, he has also signalled that Canada remains open to deeper economic integration with the United States in sectors such as energy, critical minerals and defence manufacturing.

Trump's tariffs

Since returning to office, U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed a series of aggressive tariffs targeting major Canadian industries, significantly escalating trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. Trump introduced a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum imports, alongside a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy products and additional duties on automotive components and forestry exports. The White House argued the measures were necessary to protect American manufacturing and reduce trade deficits. Canadian officials warned the tariffs could devastate integrated North American supply chains and threaten thousands of jobs. Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned the measures while pursuing alternative trade partnerships abroad.