GHY Tradelines

(John Ibbitson — Globe & Mail)

Is the Harper government willing to dismantle the supply management system that protects poultry and dairy farmers from competition? You should bet that it is.

The Conservatives’ trade agenda requires it. Domestic politics permits it. And although Stephen Harper is keeping his own counsel on the issue, those watching Canada’s trade negotiations are convinced the Prime Minister will act when the time comes.

There would be plenty of support – billions of dollars-worth – for farmers during a lengthy transition. But the end to protection from foreign imports for dairy and eggs appears inevitable. Read more here.
 

(John Size — CTV News)

Canada is closing in on a free-trade agreement with the European Union that could generate $12 billion for the economy and create up to 80,000 jobs, a top diplomat says.

But it seems few Canadians are aware of the highly secretive talks, although a number of municipalities across the country say they want to opt out, including Toronto.

Politicians in Canada’s biggest city are worried the Canada-European Union Trade Agreement (CETA) will limit its ability to buy locally, or demand a local component in procurement contracts once a deal is signed with the 27-member EU. Council passed a motion last week seeking an exemption. Read more here.
 

(Anne Sewell — Digital Journal)

The recent seizure of a Canadian gambling website caused an online outcry as it was registered outside the USA and thought to be out of its jurisdiction. Now it turns out 750 more domains have also been seized.

A recent Digital Journal article reported that a Canadian gambling website, Bogdan.com, owned by Canadian billionaire Calvin Ayre, had been seized by homeland security.

It turns out this is not an isolated case and US customs official Nicola Navas has confirmed that the US government has taken control of 750 domains, “most with foreign-based registrars” over the past few years. Read more here.
 

(Barrie McKenna — Globe & Mail)

Facing criticism from Russian President Vladimir Putin that Canada is missing opportunities, International Trade Minister Ed Fast is poised to announce Canada’s first trade mission to Russia in three years.

Mr. Fast will unveil details of the trip on Monday, a mission that’s expected to involve executives of 10 to 20 Canadian companies in engineering, aerospace, infrastructure and construction.

Mr. Fast, who has embraced missions as a way to boost trade, plans to visit three cities – Moscow, St. Petersburg and Rostov – from June 3 to June 8. Read more here.
 

(Reuters via DefenceWeb)

The World Trade Organization has broadly upheld a ruling that Boeing Co took billions of dollars of unfair subsidies, breathing new life into an epic trade spat that has already faulted European aid to Airbus, people familiar with the matter said.

The world’s largest trade dispute, involving mutual claims of aid to the dominant planemakers, reaches a crucial point on Monday when WTO appeal judges are expected to complete a pair of investigations by publishing their verdict on aid to Boeing.

At stake is whether the world’s largest planemakers can continue to benefit from alleged public aid for heavy investment in new aircraft, though analysts say it may be years before the complex legal processes are finally exhausted, Reuters reports. Read more here.