John Weekes stressed how important international cooperation is to beneficial trade agreements in a talk given to the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN).
Tag Archives North American Free Trade Agreement
Former trade negotiator says Canada must find new markets
CCA Reports: CCA focuses on COVID-19 recovery, trade and public engagement
From the August 2020 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Since mid-May, we have seen provinces move to slowly reopen their economies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the impacts of COVID-19 on the beef industry and the greater Canadian economy will not be short-term, we are optimistic that the agriculture sector can assist in Canada’s post-COVID-19 recovery. In recent weeks, processing capacity has […] Read more
CCA Report: CCA releases priorities document ahead of federal election
From the August 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
It’s been a busy few months for the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA). Since my last column, CCA has released its priorities document with information for all candidates running for Parliament in the 43rd general election in October. Available on cattle.ca, the document outlines CCA’s recommendations to further position the beef industry as a key sector […] Read more
Dittmer: Ratifying the new NAFTA deal
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
With all the hoopla over the U.S.-China negotiations, the ratification of the re-done NAFTA trade deal (USMCA-CUSMA) hasn’t been in the news much. But its passage is critical to all three nations involved. The issue has shifted from the diplomats and negotiators to the politicians. That’s sad and bad. In the U.S., the treaty is […] Read more
Enough is enough on tariffs
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
I’m not sure what’s happening in Canada but in the States, the steel and aluminum tariffs the U.S. put on Canada are not being mentioned at all. A search of the media stories does not show anything much up in Canada either. How can it be that something that important between two neighbours is escaping […] Read more
USMCA frictions continue
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
After months of negotiation, it looked like maybe it would get easier. Yes, getting the USMCA through national legislatures would be difficult and the steel and aluminum tariffs and the retaliatory tariffs were still in place. But negotiations on steel and aluminum tariffs were ongoing and intense, we were told. Yet up until the night […] Read more
CCA Report: Trade focus bears fruit for Canadian beef producers
From the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) focus on trade and market access priorities continued to bear fruit in 2018 and set the stage for a sustainable future for Canadian beef production. The events of 2018 created unprecedented opportunity for producers as we head into the new year. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) […] Read more
North American trade deal signed
Trade: News Roundup from the January 2019 issue of Canadian Cattlemen
Officials from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on November 30 as officials gathered in Buenos Aires for the G20 summit. Leaders have agreed on a deal in principle but legislators in all three countries still must pass the USMCA before it replaces NAFTA. Negotiations have been marked by discord, […] Read more
Unfinished business
Free Market Reflections with Steve Dittmer
I had a discussion recently with a trade expert from the Canadian Consulate in Denver. The occasion was a celebration of the conclusion of the USMCA. Our discussion revolved around getting rid of the steel and aluminum tariffs the U.S. had put on Canadian and Mexican exports of those products. That is the key to […] Read more
Tariffs remain irritant
Prime Cuts with Steve Kay
One word — relief — summed up the completion of a new trade pact to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Agricultural leaders in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico all breathed deep sighs of relief after the three countries signed the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. That’s because the new pact leaves intact all the elements […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
