Carney Taps Veteran Charette as Chief Trade Negotiator to US

Janice Charette Photographer: Jeff Spicer/BFC/Getty Images Photo by Jeff Spicer/BFC /Photographer: Jeff Spicer/BFC/GeArticle content(Bloomberg) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed a veteran public servant as his government’s next chief trade negotiator with the US, putting her at the center of a review of the North American trade pact at a time of testy relations between the two countries.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe envoy, Janice Charette, brings almost four decades of experience across Canadian diplomacy, public policy and government leadership to the role, Carney’s office said in a statement on Monday. Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentShe has twice served as clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the cabinet, the highest non-partisan position in the federal public service, acting as principal adviser to the prime minister and the head of Canada’s public service.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentCharette will work with Mark Wiseman, Canada’s ambassador to the US, and be a senior adviser to Carney and the minister responsible for Canada-US trade, Dominic LeBlanc, on the joint review of the trade agreement between Canada, the US and Mexico.Article contentThe accord, which came into force on July 1, 2020, for a 16-year term, mandates a review starting after its sixth anniversary this summer. Article contentThat process was once considered routine, but President Donald Trump, who signed the agreement, has spoken privately about pulling out of it, according to people familiar with the matter.Article contentConcessions DemandedArticle contentHe has demanded additional trade concessions from Ottawa and Mexico City and pressured them to address unrelated issues, including migration, drug trafficking and defense.Article contentAn official in US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s office said that a rubber-stamp of the original terms was not in the national interest and the administration intended to keep Trump’s options open. Article contentCarney said Charette’s experience 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,” according to the statement.Article contentCharette was clerk from 2014 to 2016 and subsequently served as Canada’s high commissioner to the UK. She returned as interim clerk in 2021–22 and served again as clerk through 2023. She also has held leadership roles in the private sector, including with Ernst & Young and with the transition team for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.Article contentTrending Subscriber only. 'We need to wake up': Atlantic Canada a microcosm of the problems facing the rest of the country Subscriber only Economy Canadians Say They'll Buy Cheaper Chinese EVs as Tariffs Drop PMN Business Canada aims to boost defence exports by 50%, creating 125,000 jobs Economy Subscriber only. Donald Trump plans to roll back tariffs on steel and aluminium goods Subscriber only Financial Times Subscriber only. Wall Street hunts next casualty from AI threat to white-collar work Subscriber only Financial Times Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Subscriber only. 'We need to wake up': Atlantic Canada a microcosm of the problems facing the rest of the country Subscriber only Economy Canadians Say They'll Buy Cheaper Chinese EVs as Tariffs Drop PMN Business Canada aims to boost defence exports by 50%, creating 125,000 jobs Economy Subscriber only. Donald Trump plans to roll back tariffs on steel and aluminium goods Subscriber only Financial Times Subscriber only. Wall Street hunts next casualty from AI threat to white-collar work Subscriber only Financial Times