Canadian Agri Food Trade Alliance

News

November 7, 2014

Statement by Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance on

Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Talks

OTTAWA (ON) – November 7, 2014 – As Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade ministers are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the Asia–Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Beijing on November 8, 2014, Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) President Lisa Skierka today issued the following statement on the status of the TPP trade talks:

“The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) continues to advocate for a comprehensive trade agreement that deliversequal access for competing products across the TPP region.

Once implemented, the TPP will strengthen economic growth and create jobs throughout the Asia–Pacific region, one of Canada’s priority export markets. This landmark agreement will open up new markets to businesses from all TPP countries, and must do so without exception.

In order to reach the full potential of this agreement, CAFTA strongly encourages the TPP trade ministers and negotiators to eliminate tariffs on all products and provide the same phase-out period and reduction in tariffs for each tariff line. Without this, the TPP could actually reduce the competitiveness of Canadian exporters if some TPP members provide greater market access to some countries than to others.

CAFTA calls on all TPP countries to lead the path to economic liberalization in the region and be champions of this ground-breaking trade agreement.

Only with comprehensive and plurilateral outcomes will the full promise of the TPP be achieved, and the trade benefits realized for all members, including Canadians and the Canadian economy.”

Quick Facts:

  • TPP countries represent a market of 792 million people and a combined GDP of $28.1 trillion (close to 40 per cent of the world economy).
  • In 2013, total Canadian agri-food exports to TPP countries (including Japan and the U.S.) totaled $4 billion.
  • TPP countries represent almost 65 per cent of Canada’s agri-food exports.

CAFTA is a coalition of national and regional organizations that support a more open and fair international trading environment for agriculture and agri-food. CAFTA’s members include producer organizations, processors, marketers and exporters from the major trade dependent sectors in Canada. Together, these sectors produce almost 80 per cent of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food exports, conduct about $50 billion in business annually and directly employ close to 500,000 Canadians.

For further information, contact:

Claire Citeau

Executive Director, CAFTA

613-560-0500