International Trade Minister to visit Montréal and promote benefits of modernizing NAFTA

From: Global Affairs Canada

News Release

January 21, 2018 - Montréal, Quebec - Global Affairs Canada

North America’s global competitiveness has been a dynamic driver of middle-class growth and economic activity. Facilitating trade and commerce with large markets, such as the United States and Mexico, is essential. As a result, modernizing and updating NAFTA continues to be a key priority for the Government of Canada.

In Montréal, Quebec, on January 22, 2018, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, will deliver a keynote speech to the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and co-host a NAFTA round table with Dominique Anglade, Quebec’s Minister of the Economy, Science and Innovation. The province of Quebec shares many border crossings with the United States, and two-way merchandise trade was valued at close to $81 billion in 2016.

During his visit to Montréal, Minister Champagne will reiterate that the Government of Canada is determined to ensure the benefits of trade extend to the middle class and those working hard to join it. 

Quotes

“Trade and investment creates well-paying middle-class jobs for Canadians and opens the doors to new markets for Canadian businesses. We are working hard with our U.S. and Mexican counterparts to find solutions to modernize NAFTA because our economies are stronger together.”

- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

“For 24 years, NAFTA has created opportunities, jobs and a better life for our citizens. This is why from day one of the negotiations Canada has brought concrete proposals on how we can modernize NAFTA to the benefit of Canadians, Americans and Mexicans. We are focused on achieving real progress, including in Montréal‎ in the coming days.”

- The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick Facts

  • Canada and the United States have one of the largest trading relationships in the world. Canada is the largest market for the United States—larger than China, Japan and the United Kingdom combined.

  • In 2016, total Quebec merchandise exports to the United States had an estimated value of $57.1 billion. The province accounts for a total of 14.5% of Canadian exports to the United States.

  • The North American economy has grown significantly, thanks to NAFTA. Since 1994, when the agreement came into force, the total value of the combined Canada-United States-Mexico trading relationship has increased threefold to almost $1.25 trillion.

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