Kirsten Hillman

Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s longtime ambassador to the United States, is leaving her post in the new year — marking a key shakeup amid tense trade relations with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Hillman announced the move Tuesday, saying she will “remain available” to Canada’s negotiating team as they navigate the potentially rocky period ahead. “It has been the greatest privilege of my professional life to have served and represented Canada and Canadians during this critical period in Canada-U.S. relations,” she wrote. …The lawyer helped the former Liberal government negotiate the updated North American trade agreement — now known north of the border as CUSMA. …She also served as chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. …Mark Wiseman is one name being considered as a replacement for Hillman, but the process hasn’t been finalized, sources told Radio-Canada. Wiseman is a member of Carney’s Canada-U.S. relations advisory council.