Canadian Trade Minister Outlines Trade, WTO Reform Priorities

On February 1, 2024, Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development Mary Ng outlined the country’s multilateral trade priorities and its efforts to reform the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala participated in the meeting.

Minister Ng emphasized the importance of engaging on trade issues that matter to Canadian businesses, workers, and communities, of ensuring a stable and predictable environment for businesses through the WTO, and of maintaining a fully functioning dispute settlement system.

“Canada will continue to work with our international partners to support trade that creates good jobs by fostering a stable and predictable trading environment for businesses in Canada and around the world,” Minister Ng said. She also reiterated Canada’s support for the renewal of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, which provides a tariff-free environment that reduces costs when trading digital goods online.

Minister Ng also discussed the importance of other key emerging issues, including industrial policy, environmental policy, and inclusivity to strengthen global supply chains and trade predictability.

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