More than five weeks since taking office and with just six weeks left before World Trade Organization negotiators officially hit their self-imposed April 30 deadline for developing the outlines of a new global deal, the new federal Conservative government still has not told Canadian negotiators what they should do in the talks.
It has left Canadian negotiators treading water in Geneva, unclear if the “balanced approach” mandate given to them by the Liberals more than six years ago still applies.
On March 14, trade minister David Emerson and agriculture minister Chuck Strahl were scheduled to meet with agriculture sector officials in Ottawa to discuss the state of WTO negotiations and Canada’s stance.
Read Also
Alberta researcher helps unlock the economics of farming
Lethbridge Polytechnic researcher helping agriculture producers with decision-making tools in economic feasibility
“We were hoping the new government would be quicker out of the gate with a mandate on the negotiations because we have been doing technical negotiations for five years, but now we’re down to the crucial weeks when critical decisions have to be made,” Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance president Liam McCreery said.
“The next couple of months will be absolutely critical and if we are not politically engaged, we will be sidelined.”
The range of opinion is expected to be predictable. Supply management sectors and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture will insist that Canada refuse to accept any reduction in over-quota tariffs or an increase in minimum guaranteed import levels. At the same time, many export sectors will demand that Canada more aggressively push for a reduction in all tariffs, including its own.
Strahl tried to perform a balancing act when he appeared before the CFA annual convention and heard the calls for no surrender on supply management protections.
“We will vigorously pursue reduction of international trade barriers and tariffs and we will seek to enhance export opportunities for all agricultural products,” Strahl said.
“We are committed to defending the interests of all producers and I’d like to stress that the new government and I fully support the interests of supply managed sectors of our agriculture. We recognize that Canada’s supply managed sectors will continue to face pressure on key issues at the WTO.”
Emerson, who has kept a low profile since his controversial decision to defect from the opposition Liberals to the Conservative cabinet, created a storm of protest, added his own assurance in an interview with Reuters News Agency.
“Our supply management sectors have been very successful,” Emerson said. “We don’t want to jeopardize their success.”
However, neither minister indicated if the Nov. 22 unanimous House of Commons resolution calling for no over-quota tariff cuts or minimum access expansion will be part of the mandate.
