F RE E TR ADE |Di spatch e s ing an expanded economic agreement with the EU. DM: Can this EU agreement be interpreted as a message to the U.S. Congress and administration? SD: Not at all. As I’ve often said, Canada is a trading nation and this government is committed to opening doors and expanding opportunities for Canadian business.
SD: Canada has science and technology
agreements with Brazil, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan and Korea. These agreements serve as the guidelines for Canadians to effectively partner and work with the partner country to increase international science and technology capacity. Over the last few years, the Government of Canada has increased its focus and placed more emphasis on innovation, science and technology, as key elements of growing Canada's national prosperity. Research and development is crucial for Canada’s success as a trading nation. We have several programs aimed specifically at aiding Canadian business conduct the research it needs to compete around the world. Budgets 2007, 2008 and 2009 all recognize that Canada’s ability to prosper in today’s economy depends on the skills, knowledge and creativity of Canadians. We have science and technology agreements with many of our important partners. These foster the transfer of ideas from the laboratory to the factory floor.
DM: Can it also be seen as a template for an EU-U.S. agreement down the road? SD: That is a question to ask the European Union and the United States. We already have a very successful free-trade agreement with the United States and Mexico.
sue. You mentioned dairy and poultry. Can you enlarge on those? SD: The launch of negotiations toward a comprehensive economic agreement with the EU is very good news for Canada, including Canadian agriculture. And we want to make the relationship even stronger and more profitable for the benefit of our farmers. Through these negotiations, Canada is looking forward to exploring new and expanded opportunities for Canadian agricultural exporters and farmers, including in such sectors as beef, grains and oilseeds, pork and processed foods. As the process moves forward, the government will continue to consult very closely with the full range of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry stakeholders, about how best to advance Canada’s interests. DM: How will the provinces be brought
into negotiations, and on what issues, so that the agreement can be a federal one with wholehearted provincial support – given their constitutional and legitimate areas of jurisdiction? SD: The provinces and territories support an ambitious and comprehensive negotiation with the EU and will be involved at an unprecedented level. This will include extensive consultations and participation in the actual negotiations in areas that fall wholly or partially under their jurisdiction – for example in sub-federal government procurement. DM: The agreements signed during your recent trip to China committed another $11 million in grants from the Canadian taxpayer to China. China, not a Third World country, is already receiving millions of dollars in Canadian grants. What will be the benefit of these grants to Canada? diplomat and international canada
Dotting of the eyes on a Chinese lion, for luck, in Chengdu.
DM: Our current balance of trade is in
China’s favour. In 2008, we exported $10.3 billion to them and imported $53 billion. What will improve the balance most quickly with this potentially huge market? SD: My recent trip to China showcased Canada as an interested and engaged innovation partner and promoted Canada as a supplier of high-quality goods and services for China. The Chinese market offers many opportunities for Canadian companies, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and agri-food, information and communications technology (ICT), and bioindustries. It is one of the world’s fastest growing major economies and could become the world’s largest economy by 2025.
Signing a trade agreement with UAE Economy Minister, Sultan Saeed Nasser Al Mansouri, in March.
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DM: Agriculture is always a difficult is-
Meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, in Washington, in April.
DM: How does the thawing of trade relations with China affect Canada’s support for Taiwan’s independent existence? How do you walk this line? SD: Canada’s One China policy is comprised of two key elements: Canada recognizes the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole, legitimate government of China and Canada takes note of China’s claims regarding Taiwan. Canada’s One China policy framework opened the way to the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. It has given Canada flexibility in advancing its economic and other interests in Taiwan. Canada values its relationship with Taiwan.
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