Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Janice Charette as chief trade negotiator with the United States ahead of the T-MEC review this summer. Meanwhile, Mexico and Canada agreed on a bilateral action plan to bolster their trade and investments amid tensions with the Donald Trump administration. These moves aim to prepare both countries for the North American trade agreement review process.
On February 16, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Janice Charette, a public servant with nearly four decades of experience in diplomacy and government leadership, as the chief trade negotiator with the United States. Charette, who has served twice as Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, will work with Ambassador Mark Wiseman and advise Carney and Minister Dominic LeBlanc on the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (T-MEC), which entered into force on July 1, 2020, for 16 years. The review is set to begin after its sixth anniversary this summer.
The T-MEC faces uncertainty due to statements from President Donald Trump, who has considered withdrawing from the deal and demanded additional concessions on trade, migration, drug trafficking, and defense, according to sources familiar with the matter. A U.S. Trade Representative's office official, Jamieson Greer, stated that automatically approving the original terms is not in the national interest and that Trump's options will remain open.
In parallel, Mexico and Canada advanced a bilateral strategy. Mexican Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard met with LeBlanc in Mexico City and announced an “action plan” to expand investments, trade, and reduce regulatory barriers, with possible definitions in the second half of 2026. The Canadian trade mission involved around 900 companies from both countries and formalized a memorandum of understanding between business councils. LeBlanc highlighted sectors such as agriculture, advanced manufacturing, clean technologies, and energy. Ebrard stressed continuity in political and business momentum to turn commitments into concrete projects.
Carney praised Charette's experience to “promote Canadian interests and a strengthened trade relationship that benefits workers and industries in both countries.” These bilateral efforts come amid Trump's restrictive policies and the T-MEC review in July.
