World Trade Organization (WTO)
Canada and the WTO
Canada is a trading country, and international commerce is the
lifeblood of our economy. Canada is the most open of the globe’s
major economies. We are the world’s ninth largest exporter
and tenth largest importer– trade is equivalent to more than
71% of our GDP. Exports account for almost 40% of our economy, and
are linked to one in five of all Canadian jobs. Increased exposure
to international competition has energized our economy, spurred
innovation, attracted foreign investment and created hundreds of
thousands of jobs for Canadians.
Canada's current and future prosperity depends on an international
framework of rules that provides access to growing world markets
and keeps pace with changes in technology, business practices, social
systems, and public interests.
The WTO provides the multilateral trade rules that underpin our
commercial relations with its 149 other members. All of our most
significant trading partners are members, and developing countries
make up the vast majority of the WTO’s membership. Established
in 1995, the WTO is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs
and Trade (GATT). At its heart are several multilateral trade agreements,
which have been negotiated and signed by Members and ratified in
accordance with their domestic procedures. Decisions in the WTO
are taken by consensus, ensuring that all Members have an equal
say in the rules governing the multilateral trading system. Membership
is open to any state or customs territory having full autonomy in
the conduct of its trade policies and who is prepared to accept
WTO rules and obligations. The WTO currently has 150 Member countries,
with approximately 30 others seeking to join.
The overall objective of the WTO is to increase economic growth
and raise standards of living by making trade more free and predictable.
Negotiations to increase market access and improve trade rules create
new opportunities for business. While negotiations take place in
Geneva, Canadian trade policy objectives are formulated in Canada
in consultation with Canadians. Canada continues to retain the ability
to regulate in the public interest, including in such areas as public
health, education, social services and the environment. Canada will
also safeguard the right of countries to promote and preserve their
cultural diversity.
Considering the needs of developing countries is central to Canada's
objectives at the WTO. For this reason, Canada supports effective
special and differential treatment for developing countries; the
provision of trade-related technical assistance and capacity-building;
and greater institutional and policy coherence between the WTO,
the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other international
institutions, to help developing countries manage their transition
to full participation in the global economy.
Canada is actively promoting improved transparency at the WTO.
Canada believes that a more inclusive process and improved communications
with the public will foster a better understanding of the benefits
of liberalized trade and the clear and equitable rules that serve
as the foundation of the international trading system. WTO Members
and the WTO system of agreements stand to benefit from the views
and support of an informed global public.
Please click on any of the links at the top-right hand corner
of this page to learn more about Canada and the WTO.
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