GHY Tradelines

(CFIA)

CFIA is currently experiencing communication problems between ACROSS and the CFIA EDI System. There is no ETA as to when this problem will be resolved. For urgent requests, please present paper. FAX :  NISC 613-773-9999.

At this time we are unable to determine when service will be restored, however, we will keep you informed as information becomes available.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and would like to thank you for your cooperation.

Contact Times and Phone Numbers:
NISC (Toronto) 7:00 AM to 3:00 AM Eastern Time:  Phone: 800-835-4486
NISC NSO (Montreal) 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM Eastern Time:  877-493-0468
 

(The Financial Post – Eric Lam)

Don’t look now, but the world is currently in the grips of a potential resin shortage that may disrupt the global auto manufacturing supply chain within the next few weeks.

Neil Forster, analyst with Scotia Capital, notes the problem stems from a March 31 explosion at a plant of German chemical maker Evonik Industries AG, which holds dominant global market share of a chemical called CDT. This chemical is used to produce a resin called PA-12 that is used in fuel and brake line coatings, flex hoses and quick connectors. Read more here.
 

(Journal of Commerce – Joseph Bonney)

Shipments of paper, paperboard, pet foods and animal feed lead gains in U.S. exports

U.S. containerized exports in February rose 9.6% from a year earlier, driven by strong gains in paper and paperboard, building materials and refrigerated goods, PIERS data show. February’s total of 1,014,176 20-foot equivalent units represented a 4% increase from January volume.

Shipments of paper and paperboard, the largest containerized export commodity, increased 18% to 154,271 TEUs. These shipments include wastepaper that is recycled into packing material for shipments back to the U.S. and Europe. Read more here.
 

(Reuters – Simon Gardner)

Canada hopes to join a pan-Pacific trade pact in the first half of this year, Trade Minister Ed Fast said on Tuesday, but is committed to maintaining contentious tariffs that help its farmers, though some see them as protectionism.

Canada says it has won the public support of 6 of the 9 member countries involved in negotiating a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and is trying to muster support from the rest to secure its entry to the grouping.

The TPP talks currently include nine countries – the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. Mexico and Japan also want to join. Read more here.
 

(Meg Chang — Taiwan Today)

Taiwan and Canada concluded a customs cooperation agreement April 16 in Taipei City, a move widely seen as taking bilateral relations to new heights, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Signed by David Ta-wei Lee, ROC representative to Canada, and Scott Fraser, executive director of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, the pact expands information exchanges and joint efforts combating customs fraud and drug trafficking.

“This agreement enables authorities in both countries to share their experiences and best practices, further promoting Taiwan’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, World Customs Organization and World Trade Organization,” the MOFA said in a statement. Read more here.
 

(Sneh Duggal — Embassy Magazine)

Cuts to the Canada Border Services Agency could impact the country’s Perimeter border plan with the United States or ruffle feathers in Washington, say union and opposition members—but the US Embassy says it has full confidence in Canada, and the Harper government denies frontline positions are being cut.

The Harper government is “negotiating with the Americans…to increase the level of security, and they are cutting these jobs. Where does it make any sense here?” said Jean-Pierre Fortin, president of the Customs and Immigration Union that represents CBSA staff.

“They’re trying to hide the fact that they are cutting the frontline officers. I think they don’t want to scare the Americans away from that reality,” Mr. Fortin said in an interview with Embassy. Read more here.
 

(The China Post)

China and the United States will experience more trade friction in the high-end manufacturing sector, as Washington protects its domestic industries, officials said yesterday.

Friction will “surely increase” as China and the U.S. both focus on high-end and emerging industries, including new energy and materials, Zhang Xiangchen, director for trade policy research at the Ministry of Commerce, said.

Another official from the ministry also said that a developing trend sees U.S. protectionism shifting from traditional sectors to emerging ones. “We can forecast that the U.S. will intensify trade investigations against Chinese new-energy exports,” said Yu Benlin, deputy director of the ministry’s bureau of fair trade for imports and exports.

Both officials made the remarks on Sunday at a forum marking the opening of the Canton Fair in Guangzhou. The fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair, is a barometer of the trade sector. Read more here.

(ifw – David Badger)

Americans must recognise our commitment to security standards, says AEA

Europe’s leading air cargo carriers, represented by the Association of European Airlines (AEA), are urging U.S. regulators to accept European security standards and reach a mutual recognition agreement.

“At the moment, European airlines have to seek cargo security approval on both sides of the Atlantic,” said AEA Secretary General Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus. “We are calling on U.S. regulators to accept Europe’s robust security standards as equal to their own. This will simplify processes for airlines and remove unnecessary duplication.” Read more here.

(Government of Canada)

Canadian businesses to benefit from increased access to Chilean market

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Sebastian Piñera, President of Chile, today witnessed the signing of a more modern and expanded Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement that will help deepen commercial ties between the two countries.

“The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement has been the cornerstone of our commercial relationship with Chile for the past 15 years,” said Prime Minister Harper. “The enhancements announced today will generate further economic growth and job creation in Canada by increasing commercial opportunities for our businesses.”

The amended agreement will include a financial services chapter to ensure that Canadian financial institutions enjoy preferential access to the Chilean market and can compete on a level playing field vis-à-vis their competitors. This will help institutions develop new markets in the banking, insurance and asset management sub-sectors in Chile.

The Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement has already greatly benefited both countries with two-way merchandise trade more than tripling since the agreement came into force in 1997.

While in Santiago, Prime Minister Harper also thanked President Piñera for his country’s support of Canada’s bid to join trade talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). “Canada’s participation in the TPP negotiations would deepen trade relationships with many of our important commercial partners, including Chile,” said the Prime Minister. “I want to thank President Piñera for Chile’s strong and longstanding support in our efforts to join the partnership.”