Minister Ng speaks with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai at Free Trade Commission meeting

May 17, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, spoke with Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, in advance of the inaugural Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement Free Trade Commission meeting, hosted by the United States.

Minister Ng and Ambassador Tai highlighted the importance of trilateral free trade in strengthening North American economic competitiveness and ensuring the timely and effective implementation of the new NAFTA. They discussed support for the CUSMA enforcement mechanisms, including on labour rights, and ongoing collaboration to address global trade challenges such as forced labour, WTO reform and taking action to fight climate change.

Minister Ng raised Buy America and the importance of the long-standing Canada-United States economic partnership, cross-border infrastructure investments, strengthened supply chains, and mutual energy-security advantages to build back a better economy. Minister Ng reiterated that it was in the best interest of both countries to reach an agreement on softwood lumber and raised the impacts of solar safeguards. Minister Ng also noted the importance of the continued safe operation of Line 5.

Minister Ng and Ambassador Tai agreed to continue their work on the Roadmap for a Renewed United States-Canada Partnership, to ensure the resilience of integrated supply chains and to support a strong, sustainable, and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic for workers and industry on both sides of the border.  

Associated links

• Minister Ng speaks with United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
• Minister Ng speaks with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai
• Prime Minister of Canada welcomes plan to revitalize and expand ties with the United States
• Canada-United States relations
• A new Canada-United States-Mexico agreement
• Roadmap for a renewed United States-Canada partnership