Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, says his new advisory committee on economic relations with the United States will draw on the “best advice and the broadest perspectives” as the country braces for what many expect will be tense trade negotiations with its southern neighbour.
The 24-member advisory committee, announced on Tuesday, shows the prime minister’s eagerness to reach across the political spectrum to ensure Canada is “well positioned to advance its interests” at the looming trade talks.
Among those selected by the prime minister are the former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt. Carney also appointed the former provincial premiers PJ Akeeagok and Jean Charest, as well as the former Canadian high commissioner to the United Kingdom Ralph Goodale. Only four people were retained from the previous council, assembled by former prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Carney also added executives from the banking, railway, energy and agricultural industries to the council, as well as leaders from the auto sector, the Canadian chamber of commerce and one of the country’s largest unions.
The council will meet for the first time on 27 April.
On Sunday, the prime minister released a 10-minute video, speaking directly to Canadians about how the US, formerly a longtime political and economic ally, had “fundamentally” changed its approach on free trade. He said the US had raised its controversial tariffs to levels “last seen during the Great Depression”.
In a move that seemingly singled out Canada, Donald Trump ordered his government to place steep levies on Canada’s steel, aluminum, copper, lumber and automotive industries. In response, provincial leaders have pulled American liquor and wines from shelves and Canadians have maintained an informal – but effective – boycott of travel to the US.
“Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become weaknesses,” said Carney in his video. “Weaknesses that we must correct.”
A review of the current version of the North American free trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico is scheduled for July.
The prime minister, who recently built a majority government through floor crossings and special elections, has warned that the upcoming talks could inflict damage to the Canadian economy. He said he would give Canadians regular updates on his government’s efforts to diversify away from the US.
“Security can’t be achieved by ignoring the obvious or downplaying the very real threats that we Canadians face,” he said. “I promise you I will never sugarcoat our challenges.”
Last Friday, the US commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, called the current North American trade agreement – negotiated during Trump’s first term – a “bad deal” for Americans that may be allowed to “lapse” this summer. He said Canada’s decision to slow-walk negotiations was “the worst strategy I’ve ever heard”.
