By Caribbean News Global 
OTTAWA, Canada – Mary Ng, minister of small business, export promotion and international trade, on May 13, held the first meeting of the Canada-Australia trade ministers dialogue with Dan Tehan, Australia’s minister for trade, tourism and investment, says, Global Affairs Canada. Minister Ng will also participate in the inaugural meeting of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Free Trade Commission (FTC), hosted by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, on May 17 and 18, 2021.
Canada – Australia trade
“The government of Canada is committed to strengthening the country’s international trade ties and creating opportunities for Canadian businesses to grow across Canada and around the world to ensure a strong, sustainable, and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The establishment of the regular trade ministers dialogue provides a platform for the ministers to discuss shared priorities and deepen the Canada-Australia bilateral relationship.
Minister Ng highlighted the importance of continued cooperation among Canada, Australia and other trade partners to strengthen global supply chains and support a long-term economic recovery that benefits all.
Ministers Ng and Tehan reiterated their commitment to the rules-based international order and economic resiliency, “ expressed their commitment to supporting businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources and tools they need to gain access to new and emerging global markets.”
They emphasized the importance of creating more inclusive opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those led by women, racialized, and Indigenous entrepreneurs. Canada and Australia are global leaders in clean technology and innovation.
“Ministers Ng and Tehan highlighted each country’s efforts to develop and implement more clean energy solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change, and discussed ways to enhance bilateral collaboration on shared trade and economic priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, including through multilateral trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and organizations such as the WTO and APEC.”
On May 17 and 18, 2021, minister Ng will join Katherine Tai, United States trade representative, and Tatiana Clouthier Carrillo, Mexico’s secretary of economy, at the inaugural meeting of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) Free Trade Commission (FTC), hosted by the Office of the United States Trade Representative.
CUSMA entered into force on July 1, 2020; it supports economic growth, prosperity, and good jobs in all three countries. The FTC meeting presents an opportunity to discuss the progress in the implementation of the new trilateral trade agreement and to engage with the United States and Mexico on ways to strengthen the North American trade partnership.
“Minister Ng, ambassador Tai, and secretary Clouthier will address important trilateral trade issues, including ensuring the resilience of integrated supply chains, emphasizing the importance of strong labour and environmental protections, and mitigating the economic effects of climate change to ensure that North America emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger, through an inclusive, sustainable recovery that works for everyone,” says Global Affairs Canada.
