Trade in Goods
Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures
Trade is a key engine driving Canada’s economy. Our current
and future growth and prosperity depend on open world markets and
a stable, predictable and transparent trading environment. To that
end, the Government of Canada aggressively pursues improved market
access for trade in goods through negotiations at the bilateral,
regional and multilateral levels. In the non-agricultural market
access negotiations under way at the World Trade Organization (WTO),
for example, the Government is seeking the reduction or elimination
of tariffs. In agriculture, the Government continues to press for
a more level international playing field, so that Canada’s
producers and processors can compete more effectively in global
markets. In particular, Canada seeks the elimination of all forms
of export subsidies as quickly as possible, substantial reductions
in trade-distorting domestic support, and real and significant market
access improvements. In the development of common rules of origin
for non-preferential trade, the Government’s objectives are
to achieve common rules that provide transparency and certainty
for traders and that reflect the global nature of the production
and sourcing of goods and materials.
Another priority for Canada in its discussions at the WTO is to
secure strong and binding rules on trade facilitation by building
on existing WTO obligations (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
Articles V, VIII and X) that maximize transparency and streamline
customs procedures. The Government also monitors the trade remedy
laws and practices of Canada’s key trading partners and makes
representations to foreign authorities, where appropriate. Such
interventions address matters related to policies or practices that
could hurt Canadian exporters in ongoing or future trade remedy
cases. As well, the Government provides Canadian exporters involved
in trade remedy investigations with information and advice. And
in countervailing duty cases involving federal programs, the Government
is a respondent and therefore actively involved in the investigation.
At the WTO, Canada is actively pursuing improved disciplines on
subsidies, greater transparency in the use of trade remedies by
our trading partners, and clearer rules aimed at increasing predictability
during investigations.
Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures
Report a Trade or Investment
Barrier
If you have experienced a trade or investment barrier when trying
to do business abroad please tell us about it by e-mailing
us.
Contact Point
If you have questions or comments about technical barriers to
trade and regulations, we would like to hear from you. Please contact
Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada at:
Technical Barriers and Regulations (TBT)
Foreign Affairs & International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 promenade Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
Fax: (613) 944-7981
E-mail : consultations@international.gc.ca
|
