Canada's State of Trade

It’s in good shape. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade has released its second annual report on Canada’s state of trade. The report indicates that the year 2000 was another banner year in international trade in both imports and exports.

Canada’s exports in 2000 increased by nearly 15%, while imports increased by 10.8%, representing almost 46% and 41% of our gross domestic product respectively. On average, $2.5 billion is being traded every day of the year, 76% of that being with the United States. The year 2000 marks the ninth consecutive year of economic growth.

Canada now enjoys a trade surplus of $18.9 billion. Export trade has also shifted from resources towards manufactured goods and high technology products. Trade with non-U.S. partners has increased as well with Mexico up 26.5%, Costa Rica up 25.2%, Chile up 23.6%, Japan up 7.4%, China up 40%, Hong Kong up 17% and Taiwan up 4%.

The complete Trade Update 2001 : Second Annual Report on Canada’s State of Trade is available at the following web site:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/eet/state-of-trade-e.asp

  After nine of months of consultations, Canada and Costa Rica announced the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement (CCRFTA) on April 23, 2001, as well as accords on environmental and labour issues.
  Not only is market access for goods, trade facilitation and competition policy addressed, but a joint statement on electronic commerce was negotiated as well.
  The press release goes on to detail the following:
  Costa Rica will eliminate tariffs on 67% of its tariff lines immediately, the balance to be eliminated over the next 14 years.

  Canada will eliminate tariffs on 86% of its tariff lines immediately, the balance to be eliminated over the next 8 years.

Canadian exporters will gain advantage over their principal competitors to the Costa Rican market, including U.S., European and Asian suppliers.

  Canadian exporters will gain advantage over their principal competitors to the Costa Rican market, including U.S., European and Asian suppliers.

  Canadian exporters will be competitive with Costa Rica’s current preferential trading partners such as Mexico, Chile and other Central American nations.
  The agreement sets a precedent in that it represents the first bilateral free trade agreement containing innovative stand-alone provisions on trade facilitation.
  The full text of the agreement is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade website at:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/tna-nac/costa_rica-e.asp

OOPS!
On page 2 of the Spring 2001 issue of the Customs Reporter, there was an error in the announcement regarding the re-location of the Pearson International Airport release operations. The last sentence indicates that the PIA after hours cell number remains the same at 905 677-3362. This is not correct. While the number does remain the same, the number is 905 302-5872, not 905 677-3362. The number 905 677-3362 was the main number in the PIA office prior to the move and has been disconnected. PLEASE NOTE - Our PIA cell number is 905 302-5872.