CAFTA’s core mandate is to advance multilateral liberalization of agriculture and agri-food trade through the progressive reduction of trade distorting protection and support.

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Around the world, agriculture is subject to both domestic and trade policies that impact international prices and the flow of goods. The competitiveness of Canadian agri-food exporters is limited by market access restrictions including tariffs and quotas, trade-distorting domestic support, export subsidies, differential export taxes, tariff escalation, and non-tariff barriers. These trade policies create imbalances in trade and establish trade patterns based on the preferential treatment given to individual countries through historical preferences or bilateral trade deals, rather than on natural competitive advantage. Only a multi-lateral trade deal, like that being negotiated through the World Trade Organization (WTO), will fully resolve these issues.​

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CAFTA is a strong advocate for an open and transparent multilateral trading system. Around the world, agriculture is subject to both domestic and trade policies that can distort international prices

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CAFTA meets regularly with Canada's WTO negotiators to advocate for agri-food exporters. We also speak with counterparts in other countries to map the international environment that influences Canadian priorities and outcomes.

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CAFTA delegations attend WTO Ministerial Conferences to show support for the WTO process and ensure our voice is heard.

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