A pivotal shift is underway in Canada’s approach to trade with the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney has appointed Janice Charette as the new chief trade negotiator, signaling a focused strategy for upcoming talks.
Charette is no stranger to the highest levels of Canadian government, having twice served as Clerk of the Privy Council – the nation’s most powerful bureaucrat. Her extensive experience spans multiple administrations, including key roles under both Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau.
Prior to this appointment, Charette advised at a firm with close ties to former Prime Minister Harper and played a crucial role on Carney’s transition team. This background underscores a deliberate choice, emphasizing experience and a deep understanding of the Canadian political landscape.
Carney lauded Charette’s four decades of public service, highlighting her “extraordinary leadership” and commitment to bolstering Canada’s economic interests. The goal is clear: to forge a stronger trade relationship that benefits both Canadian and American workers and industries.
This move represents a formal separation of roles previously held by Kirsten Hillman, who served as both ambassador to Washington and chief trade negotiator. Hillman’s term recently concluded, paving the way for a new dynamic.
Replacing Hillman as ambassador is Mark Wiseman, another close confidante of Carney. Wiseman’s background, however, is markedly different – a seasoned veteran of Bay Street and Wall Street, with a history of fundraising for the Prime Minister.
The pairing of Charette, a career bureaucrat with significant diplomatic experience as Canada’s High Commissioner to the UK during Brexit, and Wiseman, a financial powerhouse, creates a unique team poised to navigate complex negotiations.
Across the border, the Trump administration is fielding a team steeped in business acumen. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick built his fortune on Wall Street, and former Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also boasts a background in investment banking.
Leading the U.S. negotiations is Jamieson Greer, a trade specialist with fifteen years of experience in law firms and government. He was instrumental in the original CUSMA negotiations, demonstrating a proven track record in trade dealmaking.
Charette’s early career began in the mid-1980s within the Department of Finance, where she even participated in the privatization of major Crown corporations like Petro-Canada and Air Canada. This experience provides a historical perspective on Canada’s economic policies.
Wiseman, meanwhile, has spent his career in the financial world, leading organizations like the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and BlackRock’s global equities division. His expertise will be invaluable in assessing the economic implications of trade agreements.
These appointments arrive as the July 1, 2026, review date for the Canada-United States-Mexico trade agreement rapidly approaches. While Mexico and the United States have already begun preliminary discussions, Canada-U.S. talks have been stalled since October.
The stage is now set for a critical period in Canada-U.S. trade relations. With a new team in place, Canada is preparing to re-engage and advocate for its interests in a rapidly evolving economic landscape.
