Carney appoints bipartisan advisory panel to counter Trump-era tariffs as U.S. threatens NAFTA lapse

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney assembled a bipartisan advisory committee to address rising U.S. trade tariffs and the potential lapse of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada has formed a new 24-member advisory committee, signaling a strategic shift to counter heightened U.S. trade pressures. This move comes as U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick declared the existing North American free trade agreement a "bad deal" for Americans, suggesting it might lapse this summer. The U.S. has notably imposed steep levies, a form of import tax, on Canadian steel, aluminum, copper, lumber, and automotive industries, intensifying economic friction between the longtime allies.

The new committee dramatically reconfigures Canada's trade strategy; only four members from the previous advisory council were retained in the expanded 24-member group. Carney designed this diverse panel to draw on "the best advice and the broadest perspectives," appointing figures like former Conservative leader Erin O’Toole and former Conservative cabinet minister Lisa Raitt, alongside executives from key industries such as banking, railway, energy, and auto. Prime Minister Carney emphasized the severity of the current situation, stating that U.S. tariffs have reached levels not seen since the Great Depression. He has committed to regular updates as Canada seeks to diversify its economic reliance away from its southern neighbor. This new advisory committee is scheduled to hold its inaugural meeting on April 27.

The broad political and industry representation on the committee underscores Canada's unified, bipartisan approach to upcoming trade negotiations with the U.S. This inclusive strategy aims to leverage diverse expertise as the review of the current North American trade agreement approaches in July. Carney has warned that these looming talks could inflict significant damage on the Canadian economy, emphasizing the need for robust preparation and strategic diversification. Observers will now monitor the committee's initial recommendations and the Canadian government's subsequent actions as the July trade review deadline nears, particularly regarding Canada's efforts to reduce its economic dependency on the U.S.