Backing Taiwan’s CPTPP bid a key step towards broadening Canada-Taiwan relations: envoy
The last two years have been challenging for all of us. Taiwan’s pandemic situation took a turn for the worse in mid-May this year because of new COVID variants. Fortunately, our government immediately deployed tight prevention measures, and with the co-operation of the population, the pandemic situation swiftly improved in mid-July. By August, mere three […]
Trans-Pacific trade pact works best without China
A major goal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), intended to cover about 40 per cent of world trade, was to ensure that rule of law nations, not China, would write the rules for the world economy in the 21st century. The Obama administration concluded the TPP would spur economic growth and create new jobs, while […]
Canada must oppose China’s entry to Trans-Pacific trade pact
Last month, China officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), one of the world’s largest free trade areas. It is now up to CPTPP members—11 countries that include Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand—to decide whether to allow China to join the pact. The principal rationale behind agreements […]
Trades worker shortage getting worse as politicians promise more construction
Canada’s shortage of skilled tradespeople is getting worse, the government’s efforts to fix it aren’t working well enough, and that could interfere with an infrastructure-fuelled economic recovery, says a new report released by the Royal Bank of Canada. More than 700,000 skilled tradespeople will likely retire by the year 2028, according to the bank’s report, […]
All-party support mutes impact of supply management in election, despite political sniping
Despite concessions in successive trade deals on access to Canada’s supply-managed dairy sector, cross-party support means it is unlikely to be a decisive ballot box issue in crucial rural ridings in Ontario and Quebec. All five major political parties have pledged their backing for the supply management system, with the Liberal government committing not to […]
To move beyond the pandemic, Canada needs to look globally
It has become evident that COVID-19 does not discriminate between borders or international alliances. Despite this, some of the wealthiest nations are gripped by a zero-sum mentality, as they have made and continue to make policy decisions that solely look inwards. Last year, the World Trade Organization reported that 80 countries banned the exportation of personal protective equipment […]
Canada is still a middle power: someone should tell the prime minister
As we approach six months since U.S. President Joe Biden’s inauguration—what Canadian leaders thought would be a watershed moment for Canada on the international stage—it is worth asking ourselves what, if anything, has changed? The unpredictable and often short-tempered president Donald Trump has been replaced with a career politician that many Canadians believed would prioritize […]
‘We have to have visits’: New Romanian envoy hopes for renewal of high-level meetings post-pandemic
Romania’s new ambassador to Canada is hoping that future high-level meetings between Ottawa and Bucharest can be used to further develop the Canada-Romanian relationship. Bogdan Mănoiu said he hopes to see the leaders of the two nations meet shortly after public health conditions allow. “The international agenda, unforeseen events, unforeseen processes—and the highest on this list […]
Political calendar could push start of Canada-U.K. trade talks to 2022
With new parliamentary tabling requirements and the possibility of an upcoming election, negotiations for a more comprehensive Canada-United Kingdom free trade agreement could be pushed to next year. When the two countries agreed to the Canada-U.K. Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) in late 2020, they pledged to begin negotiations for a comprehensive trade deal in 2021. […]
One year into new North American trading pact, Canada has returned to ‘good old days’ of trade disputes
After a year with the new NAFTA in place, Canada has returned to stability in its North American trading relationship, but historic disputes continue, say analysts. Gone are the threats for the North American trade deal to be withdrawn, but in its place remain long-standing disputes over Buy American provisions, softwood lumber, and access to […]
