Canada's New Trade Council: A Key to CUSMA Talks

0:00It's April 21st. From your city to your ears, this is Canada News today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story. Prime Minister Mark Carney just dropped news on a fresh Canada. US Advisory Council timed right before the big Canada US Mexico Agreement review. This summer, it's packing some holdovers from the old group, but bringing in heavy hitters like former conservative leader Aaron O'Toole, ex-Cavanaugh minister Lisa. Great, former premieres PJ Akiyagak and Jean Charest plus ex-high commissioner Ralph Goodall. Michael Sabia, the privy council clerk and Janice Sherret, Carney's top US trade negotiator are set to lead it with a sharper focus on trade issues. This comes as the US pushes hard on the July 1st re-negotiation deadline for the agreement, also called KeyUSMA. The original council kicked off under Justin Trudeau back in January 2025, sparked by Donald Trump's trade war moves.

1:00It had folks like Rachel Nottley, Jean Charest and ambassadors plus labor and industry voices, but now it's getting a trade-centric makeover. Carney laid it out straight in a video, saying Canada's old strengths tied to the US have flipped into weaknesses that need fixing, especially since. America's changed up its game. On the US side, trade rep Jameson Greer admits they probably won't wrap everything with Canada and Mexico by the deadline. Greer's already linked up with Mexican president Claudia Scheinbaum and economy secretary Marcelo Ibrard, locking in their first official CUSMA talks. For late May in Mexico City, meanwhile, no such sit-downs on the books for Canada and the US, putting us a step behind. As these talks heat up, Canada's council could be the key to catching up and steering through the trade storm ahead.