Canada Appoints Janice Charette as Chief Trade Negotiator for U.S. CUSMA Review

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney named Janice Charette as the next chief trade negotiator to the United States on February 16, 2026. Charette will advise Carney and Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc on the upcoming joint review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), due by July 1, 2026. With over 70% of Canadian exports destined for the U.S., CUSMA shields much of Canada's trade from U.S. tariffs. Carney stated Charette's four decades in public policy and diplomacy make her well-suited to strengthen Canada-U.S. trade and investment ties. She previously served twice as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet.