

Currently released so far... 12553 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
APECO
ASEC
AMGT
AFIN
APER
ACABQ
AORC
AEMR
AF
AE
AR
AGMT
AU
AY
ABLD
AS
AG
AJ
APCS
AX
AM
AMEX
ATRN
ADM
AMED
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AL
ASUP
AND
ARM
ASEAN
AFFAIRS
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AODE
APEC
ACBAQ
AFSI
AFSN
AO
ABUD
AC
ADPM
ADCO
ASIG
ARF
AUC
ASEX
AGAO
AA
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AIT
AADP
ASCH
AORL
AROC
ACOA
ANET
AID
AMCHAMS
AINF
AMG
AFU
AN
ALOW
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ACS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AGR
BEXP
BR
BM
BG
BL
BA
BTIO
BO
BP
BC
BILAT
BK
BU
BD
BRUSSELS
BB
BF
BBSR
BIDEN
BX
BE
BH
BT
BY
BMGT
BWC
BTIU
BN
CA
CASC
CFED
CO
CH
CS
CU
CE
CI
CM
CMGT
CJAN
COM
CG
CIS
CVIS
CR
CKGR
CHR
CVR
COUNTER
CIA
CLINTON
CY
CPAS
CD
CBW
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CDG
CW
CODEL
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
COE
CN
CARICOM
CB
CONDOLEEZZA
CWC
CACS
CSW
CIDA
CIC
CITT
CONS
CL
CACM
CDB
CDC
CAN
CF
CJUS
CTM
CBSA
CARSON
CT
CLMT
CBC
CEUDA
CV
COPUOS
CTR
CROS
CAPC
CAC
CNARC
CICTE
CBE
ECON
ETRD
EIND
ENRG
EC
ELAB
EAGR
EAID
EFIS
EFIN
EINV
EUN
EG
EPET
EAIR
EU
ELTN
EWWT
ECIN
ERD
EI
ETTC
EUR
EN
EZ
ETC
ENVI
EMIN
ET
ENVR
ER
ECPS
EINT
EAP
ES
ENIV
ECONOMY
EXTERNAL
EINN
EFTA
ECONOMIC
EPA
EXBS
ECA
ELN
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ENGR
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
ELECTIONS
EIAR
EINDETRD
EREL
EUC
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
ENERG
EFIM
EAIDS
EK
ETRDECONWTOCS
EINVETC
ECONCS
EUNCH
ESA
ECINECONCS
EUREM
ESENV
EFINECONCS
ETRC
ENNP
EAIG
EXIM
EEPET
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EUMEM
ETRA
ERNG
ETRO
ETRN
EINVEFIN
ICTY
IN
IS
IR
IC
IZ
IA
INTERPOL
IAEA
IT
IMO
IO
IV
ID
IRAQI
IEA
INRB
IL
IWC
ITU
ICAO
ISRAELI
ICRC
IIP
IMF
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
ILO
IPR
IQ
IRS
IAHRC
IZPREL
IRAJ
IDP
ILC
ITF
ICJ
IF
ITPHUM
INMARSAT
ISRAEL
IACI
IBET
ITRA
INR
IRC
IDA
ICTR
IGAD
INRA
INRO
IEFIN
INTELSAT
INTERNAL
INDO
ITPGOV
KWMN
KSCA
KDEM
KTFN
KIPR
KCRM
KPAL
KE
KPAO
KPKO
KS
KN
KISL
KFRD
KJUS
KIRF
KFLO
KG
KTIP
KTER
KRCM
KTIA
KGHG
KIRC
KU
KPRP
KMCA
KMPI
KSEO
KNNP
KZ
KNEI
KCOR
KOMC
KCFC
KSTC
KMDR
KFLU
KSAF
KSEP
KSAC
KR
KGIC
KSUM
KWBG
KCIP
KDRG
KOLY
KAWC
KCHG
KHDP
KRVC
KBIO
KAWK
KGCC
KHLS
KBCT
KPLS
KREL
KCFE
KMFO
KV
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFTFN
KVPR
KTDB
KSPR
KIDE
KVRP
KTEX
KBTR
KTRD
KICC
KCOM
KO
KLIG
KDEMAF
KMRS
KRAD
KOCI
KSTH
KUNR
KNSD
KGIT
KFSC
KHIV
KPAI
KICA
KACT
KHUM
KREC
KSEC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCMR
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KNAR
KNUC
KPWR
KENV
KWWMN
KWMNCS
KPRV
KOM
KBTS
KCRS
KNPP
KWNM
KRFD
KVIR
KTBT
KAID
KRIM
KDDG
KRGY
KHSA
KWMM
KMOC
KSCI
KPAK
KX
KPAONZ
KCGC
KID
KPOA
KIFR
KFIN
KWAC
KOMS
KCRCM
KNUP
KMIG
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KJUST
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MX
MCAP
MO
MR
MI
MD
MK
MA
MP
MY
MTCRE
MOPPS
MASC
MIL
MTS
MLS
MILI
MAR
MU
MEPN
MAPP
MTCR
MEPI
MZ
MEETINGS
MG
MW
MAS
MT
MCC
MIK
ML
MARAD
MV
MERCOSUR
MTRE
MPOS
MEPP
MILITARY
MDC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MRCRE
MAPS
MEDIA
MASSMNUC
MC
NZ
NZUS
NL
NU
NATO
NP
NO
NIPP
NE
NH
NR
NA
NPT
NI
NSF
NG
NSG
NAFTA
NC
NDP
NEW
NRR
NATIONAL
NT
NS
NASA
NAR
NV
NORAD
NSSP
NK
NPA
NGO
NSC
NATOPREL
NW
NPG
NSFO
OPDC
OTRA
OIIP
OREP
OVIP
OSCE
OEXC
OIE
OPRC
OAS
OPIC
OTR
OMIG
OSAC
OFFICIALS
OECD
OSCI
OBSP
OFDA
OPCW
ODIP
OFDP
OES
OPAD
OCII
OHUM
OVP
ON
OIC
OCS
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PINR
PTER
PARM
PREF
PM
PE
PINS
PK
PHSA
PBTS
PRGOV
PA
PORG
PP
PS
PGOF
PL
PO
PARMS
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PAK
POL
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PREFA
PALESTINIAN
PBIO
PINF
PNG
PMIL
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PAO
POLITICS
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PTBS
PCUL
PROP
PNAT
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PROG
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PHUMPREL
PGOC
PY
PCI
PLN
PDOV
PREO
PGIV
PHUH
PAS
PU
POGOV
PF
PINL
POV
PAHO
PRL
PG
PRAM
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLICY
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGGV
PHUS
PSA
PHUMPGOV
PEL
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PBT
PTERE
RS
RU
RW
RM
RO
RP
REGION
RSP
RF
RICE
RCMP
RFE
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
ROBERT
RUPREL
RELATIONS
ROOD
REACTION
RSO
REPORT
SENV
SNAR
SCUL
SR
SC
SOCI
SMIG
SI
SP
SU
SO
SW
SY
SA
SZ
SAN
SF
SN
STEINBERG
SG
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SK
SPCVIS
SOFA
SAARC
SL
SEVN
SARS
SIPRS
SHUM
SANC
SWE
SHI
SYR
SNARCS
SPCE
SYRIA
SEN
SH
SCRS
SENVKGHG
TRGY
TSPL
TPHY
TSPA
TBIO
TI
TW
THPY
TX
TU
TS
TZ
TC
TH
TT
TIP
TO
TERRORISM
TRSY
TINT
TN
TURKEY
TBID
TL
TV
TNGD
TD
TF
TP
TFIN
TAGS
TK
TR
UNSC
UK
UNGA
UN
US
UNHRC
UG
UP
UNMIK
UNHCR
UE
USTR
UNVIE
UAE
UZ
UY
UNO
UNESCO
USEU
USOAS
UV
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNEP
UNIDROIT
UNDESCO
UNDP
UNPUOS
UNC
UNAUS
USUN
UNCHC
UNCHR
UNCND
UNICEF
UNCSD
UNDC
USNC
USPS
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08OTTAWA889, CANADA TO OPEN NEW TRADE OFFICES IN CHINA, MEXICO
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08OTTAWA889.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08OTTAWA889 | 2008-06-30 19:43 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Ottawa |
VZCZCXRO6678
RR RUEHGA RUEHHA RUEHMT RUEHQU RUEHVC
DE RUEHOT #0889/01 1821943
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 301943Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8120
INFO RUCNCAN/ALL CANADIAN POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2252
RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 1323
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 0447
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0422
RUEHZP/AMEMBASSY PANAMA 0154
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 0722
RUEHUM/AMEMBASSY ULAANBAATAR 0008
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0002
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0003
RUEHSH/AMCONSUL SHENYANG 0009
RUEHTM/AMCONSUL TIJUANA 0006
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 OTTAWA 000889
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAN, EEB, EUR, EAP
COMMERCE FOR 4320/OFFICE OF NAFTA/GWORD/TFOX
STATE PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON EINV CA EFTA CH BR IN
SUBJECT: CANADA TO OPEN NEW TRADE OFFICES IN CHINA, MEXICO
AND BRAZIL TO PROMOTE "AGGRESSIVE" TRADE POLICY
OTTAWA 00000889 001.2 OF 003
¶1. (U) Summary: In a June 19 speech, International Trade
Minister Emerson announced that Canada is establishing 10 new
trade offices in China, Mexico, and Brazil as part of
Canada's "aggressive" trade policy. This is in addition to
new trade offices in India and Mongolia announced in April.
The government will add staff to existing trade offices in
Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, India and Panama. In
addition, Canada is expanding its Trade Commissioner Service
in Canada with four new satellite offices in Ontario and
British Columbia. The expansion in trade offices are part of
the Harper government's Global Commercial Strategy, which is
providing C$50 million per year to further develop Canada's
trade and investment interests at home and overseas.
Emerson's remarks laid out the basic direction of Canada's
trade policy, including NAFTA, the Asia-Pacific Gateway, the
Doha Round, and also stressed the importance of Canada's
negotiation of bilateral and regional agreements as a
complement to Doha. The speech outlined Canada's trade,
investment and civil aviation successes in Europe, Latin
America and Asia during the last year. End Summary.
¶2. (U) Each year Canada's International Trade Minister gives
a major speech on the occasion of International Trade Day, an
event bringing together the Canadian business community,
senior government officials, industry stakeholders and
academics to discuss issues and priorities in international
trade and economics. The speech is often the occasion for
important announcements. This year's speech by Foreign
Affairs and International Trade Minister David Emerson in
Mississauga, Ontario was no exception. (Note: At the time
of the speech, Emerson served as interim Foreign Affairs
Minister as well as International Trade Minister. On June
25, Prime Minister Harper named Emerson Foreign Affairs
Minister and gave the International Trade portfolio to
Senator Michael Fortier. No change in trade policy is
anticipated because of the change in Ministers. End Note)
¶3. (U) The Minister announced that new Canadian trade offices
will open in six cities across China (Chengdu, Nanjing,
Qingdao, Shenyang, Shenzhen, and Wuhan), two in Mexico
(Tijuana and Villahermosa) and two in Brazil (Porto Alegre
and Recife). These are in addition to two offices in India
(Hyderabad and Kolkata) and one in Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar)
announced in April. The government will also add new trade
staff to existing offices in Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia,
India, and Panama.
¶4. (U) Emerson described the Chinese cities selected as
important regional hubs and key commercial centers that offer
opportunities in education, research, transportation, tourism
and high technology. The new Mexican offices will help
Canadian firms take advantage of promising markets in
northwestern Mexico and along the Gulf of Mexico coast. The
Brazilian offices will provide a strategic link to Brazil's
Mercosur partners of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
QMercosur partners of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
¶5. (U) Comment: More generally, the location of the new
offices also reflects the Harper govrnment's foreign and
trade policy priorities: re-engagement in the Americas and
enhanced relations between Canada and emerging Asian markets,
especially in China and India. End comment.
¶6. (U) On the domestic front, Emerson said that Canada is
expanding its Trade Commissioner Service in Canada with four
new satellite offices in Ontario (Kitchener, Windsor, Ottawa)
and British Columbia (Victoria). Additional trade officers
will be added to existing offices. Regional or satellite
offices are usually the first point of contact for firms
wanting to link up with the Canadian Trade Commissioner
Service (TCS) worldwide network. The TCS is currently
staffed by about 900 trade commissioners working in 150
cities outside Canada and 13 Canadian cities.
¶7. (U) Emerson explained that Canada is expanding its
international footprint to maintain its competitive advantage
OTTAWA 00000889 002.2 OF 003
in key markets and to bolster the domestic economy and
quality of life for Canadians: "These new trade offices will
help provide (Canadian) companies with the tools they need to
access global supply chains and expand their commercial
activities." The Minister said business has been demanding
more services in growing markets abroad as well as enhanced
local service in Canada. Domestic offices "play a key role
in encouraging small and medium-sized enterprises to seek
international opportunities and succeed in new markets.
Expanding our domestic points of service means more Canadian
businesses will be active on the world stage."
¶8. (U) In his speech, Emerson also outlined the milestones
Canada reached in trade, investment and civil aviation during
the last year in Europe, Latin America and Asia. He
described how the government has vastly increased bilateral
trade ties with Canada's global partners in line with its
Global Commerce Strategy. Earlier this year, Canada signed a
new free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade
Association (EFTA) countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and Switzerland. In addition, Canada signed an FTA
with Peru and concluded negotiations with Colombia. The
government is continuing negotiations with South Korea, the
Caribbean Community, the Dominican Republic, Jordan,
Singapore and the Central American Four of El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, while looking to possible
new initiatives with countries such as Panama.
¶9. (U) Emerson said that Canada has concluded negotiations of
foreign investment promotion and protection agreements with
India and Jordan, and negotiations with several other
countries are underway. Canada also concluded new air
agreements with Jordan, Iceland, New Zealand, Singapore,
Mexico, Barbados, the Philippines and Panama, and launched
negotiations with the EU for a comprehensive open skies
agreement that would govern air services between Canada and
all 27 EU countries. Emerson said that Canada has expanded
its work with China and India through existing science and
technology agreements. Earlier in June, Canada took an
important step to deepen and broaden its commercial and
economic relations with France with the signature of a
Canada-France Joint Action Plan.
¶10. (U) In reviewing the recent accomplishments, Emerson told
his audience that "We know that trade follows investment.
With all these bilateral arrangements, Canada is attaining a
stronger position to climb global value chains, increase
inward and outward investment, gain preferential market
access for Canadian firms and, ultimately, generate
prosperity at home and abroad."
¶11. (U) No doubt in response to recent statements in the U.S.
political campaign, the Minister stressed that "in today's
global economy, NAFTA needs to be a platform for all North
America's business -- Canadian, American, and Mexican - to
reach out to the world's markets." He saw NAFTA as a
powerful tool that enables North American workers to take on
Qpowerful tool that enables North American workers to take on
intensifying global competition: "NAFTA is not the problem.
NAFTA is part of the solution." He also advocated
collaboration to develop a smooth, efficient Canada-U.S.
border "to bring our sectors together by removing red tape,
improving transportation and logistics and sharing our
commercial strengths."
¶12. (U) However, Emerson acknowledged that his country should
diversify its trade and investment patterns beyond North
America. In particular, he praised Canada's Asia-Pacific
Gateway and Corridor Initiative as a "visionary" effort to
create a globally competitive transportation system linking
the heartland of North America and Asia through integrating
ports, airports, roads, railways and border services. These
remarks came as no surprise since Emerson served as Minister
for the Pacific Gateway in addition to his other
responsibilities.
OTTAWA 00000889 003.2 OF 003
¶13. (U) Emerson said that WTO remains the foundation of
Ottawa's efforts to negotiate away remaining barriers in
international markets: "Canada continues to be an active and
vocal supporter of the Doha round of negotiations." Failing
a deal by the end of 2008, "we run the risk of a potentially
lengthy freeze in the negotiations." The Minister said that
Canada is ready to do its part for a successful deal, but a
success depends on the "meaningful engagement and
contributions of all WTO members, including large developing
countries."
¶14. (U) Since there is uncertainty in the "broad and
ambitious" Doha process, and for "offensive and defensive
reasons," Emerson said Canada now recognizes the importance
of negotiating bilateral and regional agreements as a
"complement" to Doha. He recalled that last year he said
Canada was falling behind its trading partners such as the
U.S., the EU, Mexico, Australia and Chile, among others, in
signing bilateral trade deals which put Canadian companies at
a competitive disadvantage in key markets. That was why
Canada recently accelerated its activity to reach its own
bilateral and regional trade deals.
¶15. (U) International Trade Day was also marked by the
release of the latest versions of two annual publications:
Canada's State of Trade: Trade and Investment Update 2008,
which reviews Canada's performance in international trade and
investment in 2007, and Canada's International Market Access
Report 2008. The Trade and Investment Update said that
despite the appreciation of the Canadian dollar and slowing
U.S. growth, Canada's exports of goods and services increased
by 1.9 percent to a record C$532.7 billion. Its imports of
goods and services advanced 3.2% to C$502.5 billion. The
report also noted that Canadian exporters are diversifying.
Goods and services exports to the EU grew by 17.6 percent,
while those to markets outside of the U.S., the EU and Japan
grew by 13.3 percent. China replaced Japan as the third most
important market for Canadian merchandise exports. The U.S.
remains Canada's largest trading partner.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS