Jon Johnson – Another bad US trade idea marches forward
From: Jon Johnson To: The Honourable Jim Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification Cc: Trade Officials of all WTO Members and the US Congress Date: January 29, 2019 Re: Another bad US trade idea marches forward Last Thursday, Representative Sean Duffy, a Wisconsin Republican, introduced a bill to enact the United States Reciprocal Trade Act (USRTA). USRTA authorizations would be triggered […]John Gruetzner – A Blueprint for China Engagement
From: John Gruetzner To: Canadians Concerned about Relations with China Date: January 25, 2019 Re: A Blueprint for China Engagement Tensions between Canada and China have arisen over the Vancouver arrest of a senior Huawei executive, and the retaliatory detainment in China of two Canadians. And there are further clouds on the horizon for Canada-China relations, notably arising from […]Jon Johnson – The United States Reciprocal Trade Act
From: Jon Johnson To: The US Congress and the European Commission Date: January 17, 2019 Re: The United States Reciprocal Trade Act Last May, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross challenged the WTO most-favoured-nation (MFN) principle as preventing the US from engaging in “reciprocal trade.” In its simplest terms, “reciprocal trade” means that if you impose a 10 percent […]Jon Johnson – December 19 Hearing in Constitutional Challenge to Section 232
From: Jon Johnson To: Canadians Concerned About Section 232 Tariffs Date: January 8, 2019 Re: December 19 Hearing in Constitutional Challenge to Section 232 Last September, the US Court of International Trade decided that the constitutional complaint filed by The American Institute for International Steel, Inc. against the Trump administration’s steel and aluminum tariffs would be heard by a […]Daniel Schwanen – Welcome to the CPTPP – Year 2
From: Daniel Schwanen To: Canadians concerned about international trade Date: January 4, 2019 Re: Welcome to the CPTPP – Year 2 The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into effect last Sunday, December 30, when a first round of tariff cuts took place between the six countries that first ratified the agreement: Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, […]Jon Johnson – Does the USMCA Comply with WTO Requirements?
From: Jon Johnson To: Global Affairs Canada and the European Parliament Date: January 02, 2019 Re: Does the USMCA Comply with WTO Requirements? In a recent report, the European Parliamentary Research Service questions whether the new North American free trade agreement liberalizes “substantially all trade” among the USMCA parties as required by Article XXIV of GATT 1994, the WTO […]Jon Johnson – The Art of Breaking the Deal is Back on the Table
From: Jon Johnson To: Global Affairs Canada Date: December 20, 2018 Re: The Art of Breaking the Deal is Back on the Table On December 2 at the close of the G20 conference, Donald Trump asserted: “I will be formally terminating NAFTA shortly.” His stated objective is to force congressional approval of the USMCA by making Congress choose between approving […]Daniel Schwanen – Supporting Open and Fair Trade in Budget 2019
From: Daniel Schwanen To: Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Global Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland Date: December 17, 2018 Re: Supporting Open and Fair Trade in Budget 2019 Actual and threatened barriers to international trade are a danger to the world economy, and to Canada. In the midst of these negative developments, Canada has acted better […]Christopher Sands – How U.S. Midterm Results Will Affect Congressional Approval of the USMCA
To: David MacNaughton, Canada’s Ambassador to the US From: Christopher Sands Date: November 9, 2018 Re: How U.S. Midterm Results Will Affect Congressional Approval of the USMCA The results are in, and Democrats have successfully won a majority and control of the House of Representatives. Republicans retained control over the Senate (with a slightly larger […]Daniel Schwanen – Canadian Interest And Possibilities In Avoiding A “hard Brexit” (part Two)
Read part one of the memo To: Canadian businesses and diplomats in the EU From: Daniel Schwanen Re: Canadian interest and possibilities in avoiding a “hard Brexit” (Part Two) Date: October 31, 2018 Yesterday, we discussed the perils of a hard Brexit for both the UK and the European Union, along with Canada, with all […] Jon Johnson – Clarity still needed on USMCA auto rules of origin
From: Jon Johnson To: Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Auto Industry Date: October 24, 2018 Re: Clarity still needed on USMCA auto rules of origin The automotive rules of origin in the new trade deal with the US and Mexico involve multiple classes of vehicles and parts and differing regional value content (RVC) thresholds […]Debra Steger on CTV Power Play: The Significance of the WTO
Institute Senior Fellow and former WTO director Debra Steger speaks about the significance of the organization and says it is fundamental for Canadian businesses.