Ottawa Readies for High-Stakes CUSMA Review, Carney Commits to Monthly Premier Consultations

The federal government is accelerating its preparations for the upcoming review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), with Prime Minister Mark Carney pledging closer and more frequent coordination with provincial and territorial leaders once negotiations formally begin.

Following talks with premiers, Carney said Ottawa and the provinces have agreed to hold monthly meetings throughout the review process, signalling a unified national front ahead of what is expected to be a complex round of discussions with the United States and Mexico. He described the approach as essential to ensuring Canadian interests are clearly represented at the negotiating table.

As part of the broader strategy, governments will jointly establish a “Team Canada trade and investment hub,” designed to bring federal, provincial and territorial officials together to support trade missions and business delegations abroad. The goal, Carney said, is to streamline Canada’s international trade efforts and present a coordinated message to global partners.

Domestic trade reform is also on the agenda. Federal and provincial leaders plan to meet in March to push forward the removal of remaining interprovincial trade barriers, with a particular focus on labour mobility. Carney emphasized that outdated restrictions preventing workers from moving freely between provinces hurt both individuals and the economy. Allowing skilled professionals such as nurses, teachers and tradespeople to work where demand is highest, he said, is “simply common sense for a modern Canada.”

The renewed push comes as Canada faces continued trade pressure from the United States. Several Canadian industries including steel, aluminum, automotive manufacturing and lumber remain subject to U.S. tariffs, adding urgency to the upcoming CUSMA review.

Tensions escalated further last week when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs of up to 100 per cent on Canadian imports after Ottawa announced trade arrangements with China involving canola and electric vehicles. Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc later clarified that Canada is not seeking a free trade agreement with China, pushing back against the suggestion of a policy shift.

Carney noted that Canada has already completed its internal review of CUSMA, placing it ahead of its North American partners in terms of readiness. Internal reviews and consultations are still ongoing in the United States and Mexico, he said, but Ottawa is prepared to engage as soon as talks begin.

While acknowledging the scale of the task ahead, the prime minister said recent conversations with Trump have been constructive, even as broader trade tensions persist. “There’s a lot of work to be done,” Carney said, adding that Canada is ready to move forward.

The formal lead-up to this year’s scheduled CUSMA review began in September 2025. With negotiations expected to intensify in the coming months, the outcome could shape the future of North American trade and Canada’s economic position for years to come.