Minister Ng launches public consultations on trade negotiations with United Kingdom

March 12, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing an inclusive trade agenda that encourages trade and investment in key markets and strengthens the rules-based trading system. International trade will play a key role in Canada’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating opportunities for businesses to grow at home and around the world, creating jobs, and strengthening the middle class.

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced the launch of public consultations on new trade negotiations with the United Kingdom to benefit businesses and workers in both countries.

These consultations will provide an opportunity for Canadians and interested stakeholders to share their views and help define Canada’s priorities in future trade negotiations with the United Kingdom, in the context of both a new, bilateral free trade agreement and the United Kingdom’s potentially joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Canadians across the country and abroad are encouraged to participate in the public consultations process until April 27, 2021. To share your views, please visit the Global Affairs Canada public consultations process web page, linked below.

Quotes

“A new, modern, and ambitious bilateral trade agreement with the United Kingdom would improve market access for Canadian businesses and workers while strengthening Canada’s inclusive trade agenda. The United Kingdom’s potential accession to the CPTPP also provides an opportunity to deepen and diversify Canada’s participation in global supply chains and expand high-standard trade rules across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”

– Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

Quick facts

• On December 9, 2020, Canada and the United Kingdom signed the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-U.K. TCA), which substantively replicates the provisions of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement to provide predictability and stability in Canada-United Kingdom trade relations.
• As the Canada-U.K. TCA is meant to be an interim measure, both countries have committed to making best efforts to conclude a new comprehensive trade agreement that best reflects their bilateral interests, with high standards and a focus on small businesses, women, the environment, and digital trade.
• On February 1, 2021, the United Kingdom submitted its notice of intent to accede to the CPTPP.
• The CPTPP is a free trade agreement currently in force between Canada and 6 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam.
• Upon the full implementation of the CPTPP, Canadians will have preferential access to over 50 countries and 1.5 billion consumers, representing nearly 2 thirds of global GDP.
• The United Kingdom is Canada’s second-largest services trading partner, with the value of bilateral trade in services amounting to over $14.5 billion, of which Canadian exports account for almost $7.1 billion.