GHY Tradelines

(The Canadian Press)

The federal government is threatening “retaliatory measures” against the United States in a dispute over meat-labelling rules that Ottawa and the World Trade Organization consider discriminatory.

The U.S. government has announced new regulations on so-called country of origin labelling that would track beef and hogs through the meat processing and distribution systems.

Canada objects to the labelling system on the grounds that it is costly, burdensome and will lead to the “disintegration” of the North American supply chain.

“Canada is extremely disappointed with the regulatory changes put forward by the United States today,” Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Trade Minister Ed Fast said in a joint release Thursday. Read more here.

Related:

• U.S. Revises Meat-Labelling Rules to Satisfy WTO (Globe & Mail)

• FAITC News Release
 

(Bloomberg)

U.S. rejection of TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline would be a “significant irritant” to the relationship between Canada and its biggest trading partner, said Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast.

Fast said that he’s optimistic the project will be approved if the decision is made based on science and the economic benefits that it would bring to both countries.

“If the Keystone XL pipeline is turned down, clearly it would be a significant irritant to the Canada-U.S. relationship,” Fast said. “That said, we will continue to be each other’s largest trading partners. There’s no doubt in my mind that the governments of both countries will continue to find new ways of deepening and expanding our trade relationship and using that relationship to drive prosperity in both of our countries.” Read more here.
 

(DFAIT)

The Import Control Division will be closed for the Victoria Day holiday from Friday May 17, 2013 at 4:00 PM until Tuesday May 21, 2013 at 8:00 AM (EST).

If you require assistance please contact the National Import Service Centre (NISC) at:
1-289-247-4099 /1-800-835-4486

We regret the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation.
 

(FAITC)

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, wrapped up a successful visit to Asia by playing an active role at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting in Surabaya, Indonesia.

“Our government is focused on the priorities of Canadians: creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in every region of Canada,” said Minister Fast. “That is why we are working hard to open new markets to increase Canadian exports, as well as grow our investment ties in high-growth markets throughout the Asia-Pacific region.”

This is Minister Fast’s ninth visit to Asia in less than two years. At the APEC meeting, Minister Fast outlined the agenda Canada would like to see pursued by the next director-general of the World Trade Organization. Before attending the APEC meeting, Minister Fast and the Honourable Alice Wong, Minister of State (Seniors), led a trade mission to China and Japan and also advanced Canada’s interests during a visit to Hong Kong. Read more here.
 

(FAITC)

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced that the second round of negotiations toward a Canada-Japan economic partnership agreement (EPA) will be held in Ottawa from April 22 to 26, 2013. The announcement was made just prior to a meeting between Minister Fast and Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Read more »

(Steven Chase — Globe and Mail)

Canada and Japan are meeting for a second round of free-trade talks this month as Ottawa tries to stay ahead of other countries looking to cut similar deals with Tokyo.

Japanese negotiators will visit Canada from April 22 to April 26 to continue talks on a Canada-Japan economic partnership agreement.

Trade Minister Ed Fast is currently leading a trade mission to Japan, his third visit there since being named to his post. Read more here.
 

(DFAIT)

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today issued the following statement outlining the agenda Canada would like to see pursued by the next director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“As the selection process for a new director-general of the WTO continues and WTO members are canvassed on their preferred candidates, I have instructed my officials to relay to all members and prospective candidates the agenda Canada expects the next director-general to commit to and pursue during his or her term of office. In what remain challenging and uncertain times for both the global economy and the WTO itself, the selection of the next director-general will be a critical one. Canada views the selection process as a unique opportunity to engage with director-general candidates in a frank and open discussion about the role of the WTO and the future of the Doha Round. Read more here.
 

In early 2014, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) will be providing its clients with a new information processing system to manage the import and export permit process. The existing systems, EXCOL and EICS, will be replaced by a single, web-enabled platform called EICS-II.

Replacing the two aging systems will ensure application availability, will significantly reduce the number of incidents reported by our clients and will result in quicker, more efficient and higher quality interactions between DFAIT and its clients. While both EXCOL and EICS systems will be retired with the release of EICS-II, the current Electronic Data Interface (EDI) component for Brokers will continue to be available for a period of time.

DFAIT feels the change to EICS-II will result in a modernized and coordinated Import and Export control system which will allow to more effectively managing the permit relationships between Importers, Exporters, Brokers and DFAIT. In addition to including the same level of functionality currently provided by the two older systems, the EICS-II will offer a number of significant improvements to serve the ongoing needs of Canadian businesses and individuals.

To facilitate a smooth transition to the new system, the Trade Controls and Technical Barriers Bureau will be providing clients with adequate training, support and literature to facilitate EICS-II system adoption.  Further information related to the development of the system and the project will be shared with clients over the coming months.

Meanwhile, for additional information on the EICS-II system and the project, please visit here.
 

(FAITC)

Entry into force of Canada-Panama trade agreement eliminates tariffs on more than 90% of Canadian exports to one of the fastest-growing markets in the Americas

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced the entry into force of a bilateral free trade agreement between Canada and Panama that immediately secures a competitive advantage for Canadian exporters.

“Canada’s Economic Action Plan, with its focus on creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity in every region of our country, includes opening new markets that increase Canadian exports,” said Minister Fast. “Starting today, this historic agreement will benefit Canadian exporters by immediately eliminating tariffs on more than 90% of Canadian goods exported to Panama. Workers and businesses in a wide range of Canadian sectors, such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper and agriculture and agri-food, will benefit from taking Canada’s trading relationship with Panama to the next level.”

“The trading relationship between Canada and Panama continues to grow by leaps and bounds, having increased by 62 percent in less than four years,” said the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas and Consular Affairs). “This agreement is further proof of our government’s commitment to a robust presence in the Americas that increases economic opportunities for Canadians and delivers real benefits and prosperity for people throughout our hemisphere.”

In less than six years, the Harper government has concluded free trade agreements with nine countries: Colombia, Honduras, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. In addition, Canada is in ongoing trade negotiations with the European Union, India, Japan and the members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Canada also recently achieved observer status in the Pacific Alliance, a grouping of key fast-growing markets in Latin America. These accomplishments have been key to the Harper government’s work in opening new markets and increasing Canadian exports as part of the most-ambitious trade expansion plan in the nation’s history.
 

(CBSA)

This notice is for the attention of importers and custom brokers who are involved in the importation of steel and steel products.

As you may know, through the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) Pathfinder Solution, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) has been able to implement a new import permit process for steel and steel products that came into effect on April 1, 2012.   The Pathfinder Solution provides Participating Government Agencies with relevant commercial trade data currently collected by the CBSA and is the forerunner to the Single Window Initiative.  The quality of the B3 data provided by importers/brokers to the CBSA and shared through the Pathfinder Solution allowed FAITC to apply this data against permit requirements and thereby eliminate FAITC’s separate reporting requirements for steel and steel products.

Modernizing the steel import permit process has resulted in a significant reduction of paper permits as well as the elimination of the steel permit fee, resulting in savings to trade. The success and continuation of the Pathfinder Steel Import Reporting process is dependent upon the accurate reporting of B3 data.

The purpose of this notice is to remind importers and customs brokers of the importance of reporting accurate B3 data to the CBSA for the importation of steel and steel products.  In particular, importers and custom brokers are requested to pay particular attention to the reporting of value, quantity, origin, and tariff classification.

Errors in data submission result in an inability to effectively monitor steel import volumes and pricing, thereby inhibiting the CBSA’s mandate to promote and protect Canadian business and international trade obligations.  This data is also critically important to the FAITC Steel Monitoring program; poor data quality results in an inability for FAITC to effectively monitor the importation of steel and steel products as per its mandate under the Export and Import Permits Act.

In addition, inaccurate reporting of B3 data places importers and customs brokers at risk of increased scrutiny whether through examinations at the border, post border importer audits or possible penalties applicable under the Administrative Monetary Penalties System.

We strongly encourage importers and custom brokers to examine their current data entry practices and implement improved processes for ensuring the quality of the data that is being reported on the B3.

For additional information regarding the Steel Monitoring Program, please refer to the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website here.
 

(Meagan Fitzpatrick – CBC News)

Foreign affairs minister says Canada is ‘reflecting’ on idea of free trade deal with China

Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s quick trip to Asia finished Wednesday in Hong Kong with a speech that laid out how Canada is making this region a foreign policy priority, and that getting a pipeline to the Pacific coast is key to tapping into the lucrative Asian market.

During a speech to the Asia Society. Baird said Canada realizes the enormous economic opportunities Asia has to offer and is taking steps to play a more active role here.

Baird spent Monday in Singapore, Tuesday in Vietnam and Wednesday in Hong Kong, where close to 300,000 Canadians live and 180 Canadian businesses have offices. It’s his seventh trip to Asia, and Baird said he plans on coming back often.

While trade and investment ties are growing stronger, they haven’t reached their full potential and Canada has yet to ink a free trade deal with an Asian country, Baird said. “We know that this region cannot be taken for granted and that there is no room for complacency. For this reason, we have made trade with Asia a top foreign policy priority,” he told an audience that included diplomats, religious and business leaders. Read more here.
 

(CBSA)

The new Notice to Importers (No. 825) setting out the policies and practices pertaining to supplemental imports of turkey and turkey products is now available here.
 

(CBSA)

The new Notice to Importers (No. 823) setting out the policies and practices pertaining to supplemental imports of dairy products is now available on the web here.

The New Notice to Importers (No. 829) setting out the policies and practices pertaining to supplemental imports of eggs and egg products is now available on the web here.
 

(CBC News)

Canada‘s trade minister plans April trade trip to boost Canadian IT sales in Chinese hacking hotbed

The federal trade minister is promoting China as a key market for Canadian technology as that country is being outed as a hacker hotbed. Ed Fast says he’s headed to China and Japan in April to promote Canadian information communications technology.

In China, Fast will visit three cities, including Shanghai, the home of a military unit linked this week to cyber-espionage activities targeting companies around the globe. Fast says he’s going to Shanghai in particular because it’s an important area for the development of IT for business and mobile applications. He’ll also visit Hangzhou and Hong Kong as well as Japan to focus on medical imaging technology, along with business leaders from those industries.

Fast’s trade mission is his first to China since his visit with the prime minister last year.

A foreign investment and promotion agreement between Canada and China that was the centrepiece of Harper’s 2012 trip has yet to be ratified. Read more here.
 

(DFAIT)

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) is organizing a Canada Trade Mission to Shanghai, Hangzhou (China) and Tokyo (Japan).

The trade mission will be led by the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway and will highlight business opportunities in the following Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sub-sectors:

• Enterprise solutions and mobile applications
• Medical imaging (Japan only)

Companies participating in the International ICT Expo in Hong Kong may find this trade mission a great opportunity to explore surrounding markets while you are in the region. Furthermore, companies in the field of medical imaging may choose to network with Japanese medical device companies by visiting the International Technical Exhibition of Medical Imaging (ITEM) 2013 in Yokohama (Japan) after the trade mission.

Bookmark and visit our webpage regularly for up-to-date information on this Canada Trade Mission.

Registration:
As we are only accepting a limited number of companies, applications will be considered on a first come, first-served basis and will depend on the company falling within the sectoral scope and business objectives of the trade mission. If you wish to receive a registration package, please contact me directly.

Deadline for registration, including full payment is Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 17:00 EST.

We look forward to having you join us.

Jennifer Gowan
Trade Commissioner, Trade Missions
Tel.: 613-944-0077; Fax: 613-996-3406
jennifer.gowan@international.gc.ca
 

(DFAIT)

On January 30, 2013, the Government of Canada finalized the regulatory process to amend the Export Control List.  This amendment serves to control, clarify controls and remove control over specific items as agreed upon in the various multilateral export control regimes and in accordance with Canadian domestic policy.

This Order and the April 2011 version of “A Guide to Canada’s Export Controls” (Guide) will formally come into effect on March 15, 2013. Until that time, the June 2010 version of the Guide remains in effect.  Electronic and printed copies of the new April 2011 Guide will be available as of March 15, 2013.

The new version of the Guide will incorporate Canadian commitments and obligations to the various multilateral export control regimes up to April 2011. A brief overview of key changes are provided on the Export Controls Division website. The regulation and the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement was published on the Canada Gazette website on February 13, 2013. Please contact the Export Controls Division for more details.

Contact Information:  

Marie-Soleil Fecteau
Policy Advisor, Export Controls Division (TIE)
Trade Controls and Technical Barriers Bureau
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive | Ottawa, Ontario | K1A 0G2
Tel: (613) 944-1862
tie.reception@international.gc.ca
 

(DFAIT)

Notice to Importers No. 834 – MILK PROTEIN SUBSTANCES WITH A MILK PROTEIN CONTENT OF 85% OR MORE BY WEIGHT, CALCULATED ON THE DRY MATTER, THAT DO NOT ORIGINATE IN A NAFTA COUNTRY, CHILE, COSTA RICA, OR ISRAEL (ITEM 125.2 ON THE IMPORT CONTROL LIST)

The Milk Protein Substances (MPS) Notice to Importers No. 834 is now available on the web here.

The deadline to submit your application for the period of April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014 is March 7, 2013.

Please note that for ecological and economic reasons, we have decided not to send hard copies of the Notice to all companies on our mailing list. Rather, we recommend that companies access the Notice to Importers on our website. Should you desire a hard copy, our website includes PDF links that can be easily printed. If you would like to receive a hard copy by mail, please send us your contact information including your complete mailing address and contact name and we will be happy to send you a copy by post.

Trade Controls Policy Division
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0G2

Phone: (613) 944-1265
Toll Free: 1-877-808-8838
Fax: (613) 992-9397
eics.scei@international.gc.ca
 

(David Ljunggren – Reuters)

Canada and the European Union failed to settle their differences on a proposed free trade deal this week at top-level talks to hammer out an agreement that is already well behind schedule.

Canadian Trade Minister Ed Fast and EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht spent Wednesday and Thursday in Ottawa discussing contentious issues including agricultural exports, intellectual property and public procurement.

The EU indicated Canadian demands for increased access for its agricultural products were one of the major obstacles.

“There are still a number of important gaps to be bridged before an agreement is reached,” EU trade spokesman John Clancy said in an e-mail on Friday.

“Quality and substance of the negotiations remain paramount over speed. On agricultural issues, we are now in a more realistic zone, but we are still not there yet.” Read more here.
 

(DFAIT)

Canada-India trade agreement an important part of the Harper government’s plan to open new markets and create jobs

The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, announced the conclusion of the seventh round of negotiations toward a Canada-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement. Negotiations took place in New Delhi on February 5 and 6, 2013.

“Our government is committed to building on our already-strong ties with India to create a partnership that will lead to jobs, growth and long-term prosperity for workers in both our countries,” said Minister Fast. “More than a million Canadians of Indian origin is clear proof of how both business and people-to-people ties are helping us deepen the Canada-India relationship.”

Negotiations this week were productive and focused mostly on market access and related areas.

A Canada-India joint study concluded that a trade agreement between the two countries could boost Canada’s economy by at least $6 billion. That translates to almost 40,000 new jobs across the country, or a $500 boost to the average Canadian family’s annual income. Canada has identified core economic opportunities in India in the energy, agriculture, infrastructure and education sectors.

In less than six years, Canada has concluded free trade agreements with nine countries: Colombia, Honduras, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association member states of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. In addition to India, Canada is engaged in negotiations with large, dynamic and fast-growing markets, such as the European Union, Japan and the countries that comprise the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
 

(Susan Mas – CBC News)

The federal government is redoubling its efforts to combat corruption and bribery by tabling amendments to the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (CFPOA), Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said Tuesday.

In its pursuit of “an aggressive, pro-trade agenda,” the federal government wants to make clear that Canadian businesses are expected to “play by the rules.”

The Conservatives introduced the amendments to the CFPOA in in the Senate Tuesday in an effort to further deter and prevent Canadian companies from bribing foreign public officials.

“These amendments will help ensure that Canadian companies continue to act in good faith in the pursuit of freer markets and expanded global trade,” Baird said in Ottawa. “This, we hope, is a good faith sign that Canada’s good name retains its currency.” Read more here.