By Caribbean News Global 
OTTAWA, Canada – Mary Ng, minister of small business, export promotion and international trade on Saturday spoke with Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commission executive vice-president and Commissioner for Trade, about the recently announced European Union’s proposed export transparency mechanism; and met virtually with Liz Truss, Secretary of State for International Trade for the United Kingdom.
EU vaccine exports
Executive vice-president Dombrovskis reiterated assurances to minister Ng that the mechanism will not affect vaccine shipments to Canada. Minister Ng and executive vice-president Dombrovskis reaffirmed their commitment to stay in regular contact on any issue affecting vaccine exports and to ensure the continued flow of vaccines and medical supplies.
“This call is part of a broader ongoing engagement across government, including by the prime minister, and counterparts in key EU member countries, to minimize any impact of the EU’s Transparency and Authorization Mechanism on vaccines manufactured in Europe destined for Canada,” a readout Global Affairs Canada, said.
UK trade
In similar undertakings, on Saturday, minister Ng, met virtually with Liz Truss, Secretary of State for International Trade for the United Kingdom, to discuss the importance of trade between the two countries and to ensure a continued and sustainable global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the readout, “They discussed the recent Canada-UK Memorandum of Understanding, signed in December 2020, which sets out each country’s commitments to ensure continued preferential tariff treatments until the Canada-UK. Trade Continuity Agreement (TCA) is ratified and implemented.
“Minister Ng reiterated that she looks forward to working with all Canadian parliamentarians to adopt this important legislation as soon as possible to give businesses the continuity that they need. Minister Ng stated that she looks forward to launching negotiations for a new comprehensive free trade agreement with the United Kingdom, with a focus on supporting small businesses, women, the environment, and digital trade.
Minister Ng also welcomed the UK’s formal interest in acceding to the CPTPP; and discussed the merit of multilateralism in trade including the work being done at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“Minister Ng reiterated Canada’s interest in working with the United Kingdom at the WTO to advance the common interests of both countries, particularly in the areas of trade and the environment, and trade and health. The minister stressed the need for multilateral cooperation to strengthen global supply chains and to facilitate the flow of essential medicines and medical supplies, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Both agreed that they are looking forward to working together during the UK’s G7 presidency, in order to advance their shared priorities”.
