Canada announces new chief trade negotiator to the United States

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By Fergal Smith

Tue, February 17, 2026 at 1:46 a.m. GMT+9 1 min read

By Fergal Smith

TORONTO, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Monday the ‌appointment of public servant Janice Charette as the ‌next chief trade negotiator to the United States.

Charette will act ​as a senior advisor to the Prime Minister and to Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade on the upcoming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, ‌a statement from ⁠the prime minister’s office said.

Canada sends about 70% of its exports to the United ⁠States. CUSMA, also known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, is a continental trade pact that has shielded ​much of ​Canada’s exports from U.S. ​tariffs. It is up ‌for joint review by a July 1 deadline.

“With four decades of experience in public policy and diplomacy, Janice Charette brings extraordinary leadership, expertise, and a deep commitment to advancing Canada’s interests," Carney said.

"As Chief Trade ‌Negotiator, she will advance Canadian ​interests and a strengthened trade ​and investment relationship ​that benefits workers and industries in both ‌Canada and the United States.”

Charette ​has twice ​served as clerk of the Privy Council and secretary to the Cabinet, according to the statement. ​The clerk ‌of the Privy Council is the head of ​the civil service in Canada.

(Reporting by Fergal Smith, ​Editing by Nick Zieminski)

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