The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) has released it's list of priorities heading into the 2019 federal election.
"Despite record agri-food exports in 2018, growth and prosperity are threatened by unprecedented uncertainty and protectionism," said CAFTA President Brian Innes. "The global trading system at risk and whoever forms government this fall must work to uphold trade rules and seek new opportunities through trade agreements. We¡¦re launching our platform to inform candidates what agri-food exporters require from trade agreements."
Some of the platform's key recommendations that CAFTA will be urging all candidates to endorse are:
- Preserving and Enhancing Access in Key Export Markets
Ratifying and bringing CUSMA into force as quickly as possible
Monitoring and proactively promoting proper implementation of the CPTPP and CETA to ensure commitments are kept and potential realized
- Creating New Export Opportunities
Bringing additional counties into the CPTPP such as South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia
Fostering positive, long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with China
- Supporting Rules-Based Trade and the Global Trading System
Supporting efforts to reform and modernize the WTO so that it remains an effective organization at the forefront of the global trading system
- Prioritizing Canada¡¦s Trade Objectives
Setting clear priorities by focusing on trade negotiations that hold the greatest promise for Canadian businesses