Canada, U.K. trade talks break off as Trudeau government won’t extend temporary post-Brexit deal

Article content material

The U.Ok. has paused talks to strike a free-trade take care of Canada, with either side accusing the opposite of obstructing progress.

Britain will solely negotiate commerce offers that “ship” for its folks and reserves the fitting to pause talks that aren’t shifting ahead, a authorities spokesperson stated Thursday.

Article content material

“We stay open to restoring talks with Canada sooner or later to construct a stronger buying and selling relationship that advantages companies and shoppers on either side of the Atlantic,” learn a put up printed by Susannah Goshko, British Excessive Commissioner to Canada, on X, previously generally known as Twitter.

Article content material

The 2 international locations introduced the formal begin of negotiations on a brand new commerce deal in 2022, searching for to interchange an interim deal put in place following Britain’s departure from the European Union.

The U.Ok. had pushed to increase a short lived association that allowed exports of British cheese to Canada beneath low tariffs, just like these loved by European Union members. That deal expired Dec. 31.

The U.Ok. additionally needed Canada to increase country-of-origin guidelines that allowed the nation to export merchandise that contained components from the EU. The expiration of the foundations on the finish of March might drive up the costs of British items — similar to automobiles — in Canada, except the U.Ok. modifications its provide chains.

The timelines for these measures have been clear to each events and have been supposed to make sure that the negotiations have been prioritized, in line with a Canadian authorities official conversant in the matter. The U.Ok. didn’t meet these timelines, the individual stated.

Article content material

Article content material

Commerce Minister Mary Ng’s workplace blames “stalled negotiations” on a British “unwillingness” to supply one thing in return, similar to budging on a dispute over Canadian meat.

Canada’s cattle sector has been lobbying towards a brand new take care of the U.Ok. over a long-standing dispute on hormone-treated beef and pork.

The U.Ok. has stated it’s unwilling to budge on its coverage of banning imports of meats handled with sure hormones which are extensively utilized by Canadian ranchers, who argue the Brits’ concern isn’t grounded in science.

The U.Ok. authorities’s choice to keep up market-access boundaries for Canada’s agriculture business and unwillingness to achieve a mutual settlement stalled negotiations, stated Shanti Cosentino, a spokesperson for Ng.

She stated Ng had been in contact along with her U.Ok. counterpart, Commerce Secretary Kemi Badenoch, to precise Canada’s disappointment.

Ng informed reporters in Ottawa that the U.Ok. is Canada’s third-largest, single-country buying and selling companion at over $46 billion a yr.

“I’m dissatisfied that they’ve paused these negotiations,” Ng stated. “I’m very assured that we will get again to the desk, and I’d encourage my colleagues in the UK, let’s get again to the desk.”

Article content material

Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay defended Canada’s dairy-import quotas, which have lengthy been a supply of rigidity with buying and selling companions. The nation has managed dairy provides for many years, limiting home manufacturing and making use of heavy tariffs to imports, in an effort to stabilize incomes for native farmers.

“When it comes right down to signing the commerce deal, we are going to signal a commerce deal that’s good for Canadian farmers,” MacAulay stated. “The provision-management sector is protected on this nation, and shall be.”

— With further reporting from Dylan Robertson of The Canadian Press

Our web site is the place for the most recent breaking information, unique scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and join our each day publication, Posted, right here.

Article content material