Ottawa Signals Serious Shift in Trade Strategy
Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to unveil a new advisory council focused on Canada-U.S. trade on Tuesday, according to two sources familiar with the announcement. The move signals that the federal government is taking a more structured, long-term approach to managing one of the most turbulent chapters in the two countries' trade relationship in recent memory.
While details remain sparse ahead of the official announcement, the creation of a dedicated advisory body suggests Carney's government wants expert voices — likely from business, labour, and academia — at the table as Canada navigates ongoing trade tensions with its largest trading partner.
Why This Matters Now
The timing is no accident. Canada-U.S. trade has been under enormous pressure in recent years, with tariff disputes, Buy American provisions, and periodic threats of economic decoupling rattling Canadian exporters from Windsor auto plants to B.C. softwood producers.
Advisory councils like this one typically bring together senior figures from industry associations, major corporations, and trade policy think tanks to provide the government with non-partisan, expert guidance on strategy. For Canadian businesses deeply tied to the American market, having a formal channel to shape federal trade policy is a significant development.
The council is also likely to play a role in shaping Canada's posture ahead of any future renegotiation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which faces its next scheduled review in 2026.
What an Advisory Council Can (and Can't) Do
It's worth being clear about what this kind of body actually does. Advisory councils don't negotiate trade deals — that remains the job of Global Affairs Canada and the Prime Minister's office. What they can do is surface real-world concerns from the business community, flag emerging risks, and help the government calibrate its messaging and priorities.
Critics of past advisory bodies have noted that they can sometimes become rubber stamps for decisions already made in Ottawa. How much real influence this new council will have will depend heavily on who sits on it and how often Carney's government actually listens to what they say.
A Carney Signature Move
For Carney, who built his career navigating complex economic crises as a central banker, the instinct to surround himself with expert advisors fits a familiar pattern. He leaned heavily on economic advisory structures during his time at the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, and his approach to governing appears to follow that same playbook.
The announcement is expected to come alongside broader signals about how the Carney government plans to approach the bilateral relationship going forward — a relationship that, despite its tensions, remains the backbone of the Canadian economy.
Canada exports roughly $600 billion in goods and services to the United States annually, making any sustained trade disruption a serious concern for workers and businesses across the country.
More details on the council's composition and mandate are expected when Carney makes the formal announcement Tuesday.
Source: CBC Politics
