Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has named Mark Wiseman, a former BlackRock executive and investor, as Canada’s new ambassador to the United States. The appointment comes ahead of key trade talks with the Trump administration.

Wiseman, a seasoned investment banker, will be tasked with rebuilding Canada’s strained relationship with the United States while preparing to renegotiate the current free trade agreement.

The appointment follows the announcement that current ambassador Kristen Hillman’s term is coming to an end.

Carney said Wiseman brings “broad experience, extensive connections and deep commitment” to the position, calling it a “critical time of change” for Canada and the United States.

“As a key member of the negotiating team, he will help advance the interests of Canadian workers, businesses and institutions and create opportunities for both countries,” the prime minister added.

Wiseman, 55, a close friend of Carney, is currently a senior advisor and head of Canada at financial services firm Lazard and a senior advisor at the Boston Consulting Group.

In March, Carney appointed him to the Council on Canada-U.S. Relations to guide the direction of the strained relationship between the two countries.

Wiseman, a Yale graduate, previously worked as a lawyer at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell in New York and Paris.

He is a co-founder of the Century Initiative, a philanthropic organization that advocates for increasing immigration to Canada to 100 million by 2100 to support economic growth.

His work at the Century Initiative has drawn criticism before his appointment.

Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poiloureau has accused Wiseman of “proposing policies that will raise the cost of living, destroy jobs and strain the health care system.” and asked why the prime minister appointed him ambassador to Washington.

Beyond domestic politics, Wiseman will face the fraught Canada-U.S. relations in Washington.

Trump suspended trade talks with Canada in October over an anti-tariff ad commissioned by the province of Ontario that aired in the U.S.

Trump has imposed partial tariffs on Canadian metals, lumber and cars, as well as a broad 35% tariff on all goods, although most are exempt under the CUSMA agreement (USMCA in the U.S.).

The planned review of CUSMA has now begun and continues with public hearings and stakeholder consultations; after that, Canada, the U.S. and Mexico can renew the agreement or let it expire.

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