OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will begin formal discussions with the United States in January as part of the review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement (CUSMA).
In a statement issued late Thursday, the Prime Minister’s Office said Internal Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc will meet with U.S. counterparts to discuss the pact. The statement also said Ottawa plans to pursue additional trade agreements in the coming year.
Carney spoke after meeting provincial leaders to brief them on the state of talks with Washington. He said U.S.-raised irritants are part of a broader conversation about continental trade and that closer co-operation could bring “tremendous benefits” in sectors such as autos, steel, aluminum and forest products.
The comments come as U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signalled that Washington’s approach to the CUSMA review will depend on resolving concerns about Canadian policies affecting dairy market access and exports, provincial alcohol distribution measures, and laws affecting U.S. digital service providers — including the Online Streaming Act and Online News Act. Greer also cited procurement measures in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.
Carney reiterated that Canada intends to protect its supply-management system for agricultural products. He also said Canada is ready to reach an agreement on forest products, arguing it could help address affordability pressures in the U.S., including housing.
Carney said Canada and the U.S. were close to sector-specific tariff relief talks earlier this year, and suggested those discussions could now fold into broader CUSMA negotiations — while leaving open the possibility of renewed sector-focused talks.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford defended the province’s anti-tariff advertising campaign in the U.S., saying Ontario has been among the hardest hit and vowing to keep pushing for what he called a fair deal.