Minister of International Trade to discuss imperative and advantages of market diversification at Montreal Council on Foreign Relations
News Release
September 28, 2017 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canadians count on the Government of Canada to create employment, ensure economic growth and strengthen the middle class. Growing Canada’s trade and investment relationship with new and rapidly growing markets is one of the main ways to achieve this goal and is, therefore, a top priority for the Government of Canada.
This global approach to trade will help create more opportunities for Canadian businesses to grow and to thrive abroad, which will create more good-paying jobs for middle-class Canadians.
On September 29, 2017, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, will be in Montréal, Quebec, to give a speech at the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations (CORIM) about the imperative and advantages of trade diversification. The Minister will highlight recent accomplishments under Canada’s ambitious and progressive trade agenda and discuss upcoming priorities.
Minister Champagne’s participation at CORIM will give him the opportunity to engage with business and community leaders from Quebec on how small and medium-sized enterprises may benefit from the recently launched and provisional application of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). He will also highlight the Government of Canada’s aim to increase access beyond traditional markets to emerging markets, such as the Asia-Pacific and Latin America regions, and how Canadians will be able to seize the new economic opportunities these important markets offer Canadian entrepreneurs, business owners and workers alike.
Quotes
“Canada is a trading nation, and Canadians know that our prosperity depends on our links with the global economy. Opening new markets for Canadian exporters is key to Canada’s efforts to create jobs, grow the economy and strengthen the middle class. With the enormous opportunities that exist right now, from the European market to Asia-Pacific to Latin America, there has never been a better time for Canada to diversify its trade. Our government is committed to ensure that we are seizing these occasions and creating more opportunities for businesses to expand and diversify with confidence.”
- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade
Quick Facts
-
On September 21, 2017, with the launch of CETA provisional application, 98% of Canadian and EU tariff lines became duty-free.
-
In June 2017, Canada was officially invited to start free trade negotiations on the process of becoming an associated state of the Pacific Alliance, a regional integration initiative founded in 2011 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.
-
In September 2017, the 10 economies that comprise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to launch exploratory discussions to determine the potential for a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement.
-
Canada is engaged in exploratory discussions with China about a possible free trade agreement and has consulted Canadians on their views on this initiative.
Associated Links
- CETA: Tariffs plummet to zero today as Canada-European Union deal gets under way
- Canada takes another strategic step in the Asia-Pacific region
- International Trade Minister concludes successful promotion of Canada’s forest industry during trade mission to China
- International Trade Minister welcomes invitation by the Pacific Alliance to start negotiations to deepen trading relations with Latin America
- The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
Contacts
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter: @CanadaTrade
Like us on Facebook: Canada’s international trade - Global Affairs Canada