Carney’s Negotiator Choice Raises Major Red Flags for Canada’s Economy

Canada is heading into a critical USMCA (CUSMA) review with the United States, and Prime Minister Mark Carney has chosen former Clerk of the Privy Council Janice Charette as Canada’s chief negotiator. But is this the right choice at the right time?With U.S. President Donald Trump already imposing tariffs and expected to take a hardline, America-first approach, Canada’s trade strategy matters more than ever. Critics are raising concerns about sending a career Ottawa bureaucrat, closely associated with the Trudeau government and the controversial Emergencies Act decision, into what could become a high-stakes economic showdown.In this episode of Tap the Maple, we break down:What the USMCA review means for Canada’s economyWhy this appointment could send the wrong signal to WashingtonThe political and economic risks heading into negotiationsHow trade decisions affect jobs, investment, manufacturing, and energyWhat Canada should be doing differently to protect its economic futureThis isn’t just politics, it’s about Canadian jobs, competitiveness, and whether Ottawa understands the economic moment we’re in.Subscribe to Bakes on Things for weekly deep-dive analysis on Canada’s economy, politics, and the policies shaping our future.