Readout: Minister Ng speaks with Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment

May 29, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke yesterday with Simon Birmingham, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, about the need for continued global cooperation to keep our people healthy and safe while mitigating the economic impact of COVID-19.

Minister Ng noted Canadians’ efforts to help flatten the COVID-19 curve here at home, and she welcomed the news of Australia’s progress in keeping their people safe and healthy amid the pandemic.

The ministers agreed to continue working closely together on keeping global supply chains open to the benefit of our businesses and workers, including through the G20, World Trade Organization and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

As well, the ministers reaffirmed the strength of Canada and Australia’s bilateral commercial relationship. They highlighted the importance of open trade and diversification, and how this relationship is enhanced through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, giving our businesses and workers more opportunities in the global marketplace.

The ministers also discussed the upcoming Ottawa Group WTO reform ministerial meeting as an opportunity to advance an ambitious work plan on COVID-19 response and lay the foundations for global economic recovery. Minister Ng highlighted the importance of engaging Canada’s and Australia’s respective business communities to ensure this work helps them with the smooth resumption and flow of cross-border trade in the weeks and months to come.