Monday February 16, 2026 | OTTAWA, ON
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The Carney Liberal government continues to make shifts for trade success with the United States in ways that continue to strengthen sovereignty.
As Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) negotiations begin to heat up, yesterday the new Ambassador of Canada to the United States, Mark Wiseman, officially started in his new post.
Today the Prime Minister announce that the Honourable Janice Charette has been appointed as the next Chief Trade Negotiator to the United States.
These two top officials will be doing a lot of the heavy-lifting for Canada in Washington, DC — Wiseman from a business investment background and Charette from a senior government public service background.
Appointing Charette:
Ms. Charette brings four decades of experience across public policy and diplomacy.
She has served at the highest levels of Canada’s public service, including twice as the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet.
She has also represented Canada’s interests abroad, including as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Working on CUSMA:
Working closely with Ambassador Wiseman. Charette will act as a senior advisor to the prime minister and the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Dominic LeBlanc, on the upcoming Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) trade review and strengthening the trade and investment relationship between Canada and the United States.
- The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) came into force on July 1, 2020, for a 16-year term. It includes a provision requiring a joint review beginning on its sixth anniversary, July 1, 2026.
- Canada and the United States share one of the world’s most significant trading relationships, with more than $3.5 billion in goods and services crossing the border every day. More than 85% of Canada-U.S. merchandise trade is tariff-free under CUSMA.
Gratitude to former Ambassador Hillman:
The Prime Minister extends his deep gratitude to Kirsten Hillman for her immense contributions as Canada’s Chief Trade Negotiator, in addition to her responsibilities as Canada’s Ambassador to the United States.
Ambassador Hillman has resolutely defended Canadian values and interests and promoted a stronger future for Canadian workers, says the prime minister’s office today.
She was originally appointed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and clearly carried the dual weight of being ambassador and trade negotiator during the previous CUSMA period.
===== RELATED:
- Carney & premiers present a united front on economy, trade & sovereignty (January 29, 2026
- Canada’s 2026 diplomatic transition in Washington (December 26, 2025)
- Canadians pushing back against 51st state idea is ‘well understood’ in Washington (February 13, 2025)
- Hillman, Champagne & Ng about their Washington trip (January 23, 2025)
- NEWS SECTIONS: CANADA-NATIONAL | CANADA-USA | 45th PARLIAMENT OF CANADA