Prime Minister Mark Carney has selected prominent financier Mark Wiseman, a former BlackRock executive, to serve as Canada’s ambassador to the United States during a period of crucial trade negotiations with the Trump administration. The appointment comes as Canada seeks to reset its strained bilateral relationship with its southern neighbor while preparing for a complex review of the existing free trade agreement.
Wiseman, 55, brings substantial financial expertise to the diplomatic role, currently serving as senior advisor and chairman of Canada at Lazard financial services and as a senior advisor at Boston Consulting Group. The Yale-educated lawyer has previously worked in New York and Paris with Sullivan & Cromwell, and reportedly maintains a close personal friendship with Prime Minister Carney.
The new ambassador’s appointment follows current ambassador Kirsten Hillman’s decision to conclude her tenure in Washington. Carney emphasized Wiseman’s “immense experience, extensive contacts and deep commitment” in a statement, noting the appointment comes at a “crucial time of transformation” for both nations. “As a core member of our negotiating team, he will help advance the interests of Canadian workers, businesses, and institutions, while building opportunities for both Canada and the United States,” Carney stated.
Wiseman’s background includes co-founding the Century Initiative, a charitable organization advocating for increased Canadian immigration to reach 100 million people by 2100 to stimulate economic growth. This association has drawn criticism from Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre, who accused Wiseman of promoting policies that “inflate the cost of living, take away jobs and put pressure on our health care system.”
The diplomatic assignment presents significant challenges as Wiseman will navigate a relationship strained by Trump’s imposition of sector-specific tariffs on Canadian metals, lumber and automotive products. Tensions escalated in late October when Trump halted trade talks following an anti-tariff advertisement commissioned by Ontario province and aired in the US markets.
A scheduled review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is currently underway, beginning with public hearings and stakeholder consultations. The outcome could result in renewal or expiration of the trade pact that currently exempts most Canadian goods from Trump’s sweeping 35% tariff rate on all imports. Wiseman is scheduled to assume his ambassadorial responsibilities in mid-February.