News Release and Backgrounder
April 11, 2001
Opening Doors to the World
Canada's International Market Access Priorities 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the Minister for International Trade
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Introduction
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Getting the International Rules Right: The World Trade Organization
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Investment
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Opening Doors to The Americas
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Opening Doors to Europe
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Opening Doors to Asia Pacific
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Opening Doors to Other Key Markets
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Glossary of Terms
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List of Acronyms
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Canada's International Trade Statistics
About this Document
Opening Doors to the World: Canada's International Market Access Priorities - 2001 outlines the Government's priorities for improving access to foreign markets for Canadian traders and investors through a range of multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives in 2001. It also presents significant market-opening results from 2000 that will benefit Canadian business. Subjects range from Canada's broad negotiating objectives at the World Trade Organization, to the details of specific bilateral trade irritants. It is not intended as an exhaustive catalogue of Government activities to improve access to foreign markets, nor as a comprehensive inventory of foreign barriers to trade or investment. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), and its Embassies and missions abroad, co-ordinated the preparation of this report, with the assistance of other federal government departments (especially Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Finance Canada, Industry Canada and Natural Resources), as well as provincial governments, and, of course, Canadians doing business abroad. Its contents are current up to the end of February 2001. Opening Doors to the World: Canada's International Market Access Priorities - 2001 updates and expands on topics presented in the 2000 report which was released by the Minister for International Trade in April 2000. While recognizing the vital importance of the U.S. market, the current approach reflects Canada's broader interests and the importance of work in such forums as the World Trade Organization (WTO) to strengthen the disciplines governing global trade and investment flows.
Message from the Minister for International Trade
I am pleased to report that Canada's outstanding performance in the area of international trade continued throughout 2000. Our exports of goods and services rose to a record high of $473.9 billion in 2000, and we recorded a surplus of $18.9 billion on our current account balance. Canada continues to rank among the world's leading trading economies. With exports of goods and services now representing 45.6 percent of gross domestic product and trade accounting for one in every three jobs, it is clear that Canada's trade success is directly and positively related to our overall economic growth and prosperity.
It is also clear that improving and securing access to key markets is an important factor in ensuring continued trade expansion. That is why the Government of Canada is so committed to bringing down barriers in key markets and securing predictable access to the world for Canadian traders and investors. Enhanced market access is the path to continued prosperity for Canadians.
With this thought in mind, I am very pleased to present "Opening Doors to the World: Canada's International Market Access Priorities - 2001". This annual report, prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, outlines the federal government's strategy for achieving improved access for goods, services and investment in key foreign markets. The report also highlights significant market-opening results achieved by the Government in 2000 to benefit Canadians and provide new opportunities for Canadian companies in world markets.
As a medium-sized, trade-dependent economy, Canada's current and future economic success depends on open world markets, a stable trading environment, and a means to settle trade disputes based on rules rather than on political or economic might. In 2001, Canada will pursue its objectives through multilateral and regional forums, bilaterally with key trading partners, and through the negotiation of new free trade agreements.
The World Trade Organization remains the cornerstone of Canadian trade policy and the foundation for Canada's relations with its trading partners and our bilateral and regional agreements and initiatives. Canada is actively engaged in the ongoing WTO negotiations on agriculture and services, and will continue its efforts to build confidence in the world trading system and to establish consensus on expanded negotiations.
On April 20-22, 2001, the Prime Minister will host the third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City. A key element of the Summit process is the ongoing negotiation of a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). As we have for the past two years, Canada will continue to play an active leadership role in the FTAA negotiations, which hold the potential to create the world's largest free trade area - 800 million people and a combined gross domestic product of nearly $17 trillion. The FTAA would build on Canada's free trade ties with the United States, Mexico and Chile and our expanding links elsewhere in the hemisphere, allowing Canada to take full advantage of emerging hemispheric markets.
Canada entered into free trade negotiations first with Costa Rica in early 2000, then later in the year with El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, and in early 2001 with the economies of the Caribbean Community. The conclusion of free trade agreements with these countries will reinforce Canada's continued commitment to the hemisphere and help realize the potential for further developing the trade relationship between our countries, particularly with respect to our small and medium-sized businesses.
Canada and the United States share the world's largest and most comprehensive trading relationship. With 86 percent of our merchandise exports destined for this market, representing 33 percent of our gross domestic product, Canada-U.S. trade relations will remain a top priority for the Government. While the vast majority of our trade is dispute-free, we will continue to ensure that the disputes that will inevitably arise are managed carefully. A significant challenge is the management of the softwood lumber issue, where we remain committed to ensuring access to this large, traditional market for Canadian producers. We will also work with the United States and Mexico to reinvigorate the NAFTA and continue to facilitate and enhance trade in these key markets.
In closing, I want to stress that the Government of Canada is committed to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with Canadians on trade issues. We will pursue the priorities outlined in this report in full consultation with Canadians. The Government maintains an extensive program of outreach and consultations with the provinces and territories, the business sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), other interest groups, and the public. In addition to being a source of information on the Government's actions and intentions on a range of trade issues of importance to Canadians, this report is intended to stimulate thinking and the submission of views by readers.
I would also encourage those interested to visit the Trade Negotiations and Agreements Web site, which provides the most current information on Canada's trade policy agenda. This report and the website are two of the key mechanisms that we have developed to encourage you to provide us with feedback on trade issues. I invite you to register your views via the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade website or the Trade Negotiations and Agreements website. By doing so, you join our team and improve our prospects for advancing Canadian interests and ensuring our continued prosperity.
The Honourable Pierre S. Pettigrew
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