Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to convene with the provincial leaders in Ottawa later this month, marking the commencement of a busy period as the mandatory assessment of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico-Agreement (CUSMA) gains momentum. The first ministers’ meeting is set for Jan. 29, with a preceding dinner hosted by Carney, as disclosed by sources familiar with the arrangements but not authorized to speak publicly.
Throughout the past year, the prime minister and premiers have been engaging in periodic discussions, often virtually, against the backdrop of the trade tensions instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s imposition of tariffs continues to negatively impact Canadian industries such as steel, aluminum, and automotive, fostering economic uncertainties.
Anticipations are high for intensified dialogues this year as the CUSMA evaluation process unfolds. The U.S. trade representative has outlined a set of conditions that the administration seeks to incorporate for a potential 16-year extension of the trade agreement beyond its 2036 expiry.
In a recent address to Congress in December, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer acknowledged the partial success of CUSMA but emphasized the necessity for modifications before Trump consents to its extension. Greer highlighted persistent trade concerns for the U.S., including Canada’s dairy quota regime, online streaming regulations affecting major tech companies like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube, and the ongoing alcohol boycotts in certain Canadian provinces.
Carney’s meeting with the premiers is strategically timed just after Parliament reconvenes, coinciding with his recent visit to China where discussions encompass trade, energy, agriculture, and international security topics.