Carney Taps Veteran Public Servant Janice Charette as Lead U.S. Trade Negotiator
Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Janice Charette, a seasoned public servant with nearly four decades of experience, as Canada's chief trade negotiator with the United States. This strategic move comes ahead of a critical review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), scheduled to begin this summer amid increasingly testy relations between the two North American neighbors.
Charette's Extensive Background in Diplomacy and Governance
Charette brings a wealth of expertise to the role, having served twice as clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the cabinet—the highest non-partisan position in the federal public service. In these capacities, she acted as principal adviser to the prime minister and led Canada's public service. Her diplomatic credentials include serving as Canada's high commissioner to the United Kingdom, and she has held interim and permanent clerk roles from 2014 to 2016 and again from 2021 through 2023.
Beyond her government roles, Charette has significant private sector experience, including leadership positions with Ernst & Young and the transition team for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Carney's office emphasized in a statement that her diverse background positions her to "advance Canadian interests and a strengthened trade and investment relationship that benefits workers and industries in both Canada and the United States."
The Upcoming CUSMA Review and Political Tensions
The CUSMA agreement, which took effect on July 1, 2020, includes a mandatory review starting after its sixth anniversary this summer. Originally viewed as a routine process, the review has taken on heightened significance due to political dynamics in the United States. Former President Donald Trump, who signed the agreement, has privately discussed withdrawing from it, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Trump has demanded additional trade concessions from Ottawa and Mexico City, while also pressuring both countries to address unrelated issues such as migration, drug trafficking, and defense. An official from U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer's office stated that a simple rubber-stamp of the original terms is not in the national interest, and the administration intends to keep Trump's options open during the review.
Charette's Role and Collaborative Efforts
In her new position, Charette will work closely with Mark Wiseman, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., and serve as a senior adviser to Prime Minister Carney and Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade. Her appointment is seen as a move to bolster Canada's negotiating team during what could be a contentious period for North American trade relations.
The CUSMA review process is unfolding against a backdrop of broader economic strains, including tariffs impacting North American manufacturing. Charette's extensive experience in diplomacy, public policy, and government leadership is expected to be instrumental in navigating these challenges and protecting Canadian interests during the negotiations.
