(Minister of International Trade) The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today participated in a round table with members of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) in Toronto. At the session, Minister Fast underscored the Harper government’s commitment to boosting trade and investment with China to benefit Canadians. [...]
(Minister of International Trade)
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today participated in a round table with members of the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) in Toronto. At the session, Minister Fast underscored the Harper government’s commitment to boosting trade and investment with China to benefit Canadians.
“Our government’s focus is to create jobs and increase prosperity for hardworking Canadians. One in five Canadian jobs is linked to trade,” said Minister Fast. “China is now the world’s second-largest economy after the United States. Therefore, it is important that we further strengthen our commercial trading relationship with this powerhouse market in order to create opportunities for Canadian workers, businesses and their families.”
Canada and China are currently negotiating a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) – a pact that will set the stage for a significant increase in two-way investment.
“Canadian companies doing business in China will benefit from rules that create a predictable investment environment and effective dispute settlement measures,” stated Minister Fast. “We look forward to concluding this FIPA with China in the near future.”
“Today’s round-table discussion between Minister Fast and CCBC members underscores the importance that both the Harper government and the Sino-Canadian business community place on strengthening trade relations between Canada and China,” said Sarah Kutulakos, Executive Director and CEO of the CCBC. “As the voice of the Canadian business community on issues affecting Sino-Canadian trade and investment, the council is pleased with the Minister’s efforts to ensure a long and prosperous relationship that will benefit all Canadians.”
China is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner. Bilateral merchandise trade reached $57.7 billion in 2010, while overall trade between the two countries more than tripled between 2001 and 2010. The Government of Canada is active in China in support of Canadian companies, with 11 service points comprising five diplomatic missions and six trade offices.
“The standard of living and future prosperity of Canadian families depend on us deepening and broadening Canada’s trade relationships,” concluded Minister Fast. “China is a key aspect of our job-creating pro-trade plan, and I look forward to intensified engagement with China this fall.”
(FAITC) Free trade with EU could boost Canada’s economy by at least $12 billion, benefiting workers and employers The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today marked the conclusion of the eighth round of Canada-European Union free trade negotiations, which took place this week in Brussels, by highlighting [...]
(FAITC)
Free trade with EU could boost Canada’s economy by at least $12 billion, benefiting workers and employers
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today marked the conclusion of the eighth round of Canada-European Union free trade negotiations, which took place this week in Brussels, by highlighting the progress made to date.
“I am pleased to report that officials from Canada and the EU have exchanged ambitious offers on goods and government procurement this week, and talks continue to move forward with the aim of completing negotiations by 2012,” said Minister Fast. “We are making important progress as we move closer toward an agreement that has the potential to dramatically boost two-way trade and create jobs and prosperity in all regions of Canada.”
To date, significant progress has been achieved in all negotiating areas, including goods, services, investment, government procurement and many others. As previously planned, offers on services and investment will be exchanged prior to the ninth round of negotiations, which is scheduled to take place in Ottawa in October, 2011.
“These negotiations represent our most significant trade initiative since the North American Free Trade Agreement, and while some issues still need to be resolved, our government is vigorously defending Canada’s interests to ensure that any agreement we sign benefits Canadian workers, businesses and their families,” said Minister Fast.
A Canada-EU joint economic study, released in October 2008, shows that a Canada-EU free trade agreement could boost Canadian GDP by at least $12 billion, and benefit workers in many sectors of the Canadian economy, including aerospace, chemicals, plastics, aluminum, wood products and manufacturing, as well as commodity- and resource-based businesses.
“Our government is committed to protecting and strengthening the long-term financial security of hard-working Canadians,” concluded Minister Fast. “Broadening and expanding access to more markets – like the European Union – is a key part of our job-creating, pro-trade plan.”
Since 2006, Canada has launched an ambitious trade agenda, opening doors for Canadian businesses by concluding new free trade agreements with eight countries: Colombia, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Negotiations are also under way with India, which could boost Canada’s economy by at least $6 billion.
More information on the Eighth Round of Trade Negotiations with the European Union is available here.
(Wall Street Journal) The Canadian government said Friday it was moving on exploratory talks to boost trade with the Mercosur group of South American countries, suggesting that it’s eyeing a trade pact with the bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Canada is pursuing bilateral and regional trade negotiations as it focuses on jobs and [...]
(Wall Street Journal)
The Canadian government said Friday it was moving on exploratory talks to boost trade with the Mercosur group of South American countries, suggesting that it’s eyeing a trade pact with the bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Canada is pursuing bilateral and regional trade negotiations as it focuses on jobs and growth in a country where trade accounts for some 60% of gross domestic product. The government is currently negotiating free trade agreements with the European Union and India.
In the text of a speech in Paraguay, Trade Minister Ed Fast who is on his first visit abroad since his appointment last month, said Mercosur is an “exciting market” and that discussions with the group “have the potential to open up countless avenues to expand and deepen trade with Canada, as well as to develop strategic partnerships.” [...]
“It is in our mutual interest and in the interest of Canadian workers and companies that we continue to develop strategic partnerships between Canada and these vitally important countries,” he said. Read more here.
(iPolitics.ca) An open letter to the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway: If we truly had global free trade and all countries enforced free competition within their respective borders, you would have the easiest job in Cabinet. Trade agreements would be a couple of pages long with signatories [...]
(iPolitics.ca)
An open letter to the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway:
If we truly had global free trade and all countries enforced free competition within their respective borders, you would have the easiest job in Cabinet. Trade agreements would be a couple of pages long with signatories committing themselves to full trade liberalization and the free movement of goods, services and people across borders.
But as you know, global free trade is far from that ideal. Progress in trade liberalization over the years has been truly impressive and Canada has benefitted greatly. But trade agreements also include hundreds of pages of exceptions, exemptions, and special cases that represent both the ambitions and the political compromises of those who precede you. Read more here.
Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade announced the successful conclusion of the second round of free trade negotiations with Ukraine.
(FAITC)
The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced the successful conclusion of the second round of free trade negotiations with Ukraine.
“Our government remains focused on the economy,” said Minister Fast. “A free trade agreement with Ukraine will further expand trade opportunities, encourage economic growth and help create jobs.”
This round of talks began on May 16, 2011, and took place in Kyiv.
“We want to build on our already strong cultural relationship with the Ukrainian people by strengthening our economic ties,” said Minister Fast. “Canadian companies are steadily building a presence in Ukraine in areas such as aerospace and agriculture. We want to encourage more of these connections.”
A free trade agreement with Ukraine would further open markets for Canadian exports ranging from seafood products to machinery, vehicles, iron and steel products, and plastics.
Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe, and home to a highly educated population, a diversified industrial base and substantial natural resources. Some 1.2 million Canadians have Ukrainian roots, enriching Canada’s business, arts and academic communities.
The Harper government has already concluded new free trade agreements with eight countries and is in negotiations with close to 50 others, including the members of the European Union and India, which are among the world’s largest economies.
