Canada in exploratory talks with Mercosur for a trade agreement

Friday, March 23rd 2012 - 02:18 UTC

Full article 30 comments

PM Harper has great hopes of re-engaging with Latam during the coming Americas summit in Colombia

Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast has concluded a two-day trade visit to Argentina, to promote the conclusion of exploratory talks towards a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the Mercosur trade bloc.

During his visit to Buenos Aires, Fast met with Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hector Timerman. He also met with political and business leaders to advocate more trade and job-creating partnerships between Canada and Mercosur member states.

Exploratory talks commenced in the third quarter of 2010, and the Canadian government said discussions to date have been productive. Two exploratory meetings have now taken place, with a third meeting expected to take place in Ottawa in May.

“My visit to Argentina was an opportunity to promote the mutual benefits of expanded trade and investment ties between us,“ said Fast. ”Deepening and broadening Canada’s economic relationship with high-growth markets like Mercosur is a key part of our pro-trade plan for jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity.”

“Canada-Mercosur exploratory trade talks are seeking to identify areas of mutual interest toward the potential negotiations of an agreement that would be mutually beneficial,” he added.

The Canadian cabinet recently discussed a renewal of the foreign-policy directive and PM Stephen Harper is expected to discuss details of how Canada will re-engage with Latin America and the Caribbean during the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia, April 14-15.

The previous Canadian Americas strategy, first signalled in 2007, had three pillars: security, prosperity and democratic governance. But the Foreign Affairs Department's own internal evaluation last year suggested the strategy was mostly talk and little action, citing a lack of resources and poor understanding of the policy.

In 2011, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Mercosur reached more than 9.7bn, a 213% increase over the last decade. Currently, companies listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange operate more than 200 mineral projects in Argentina.

At the end of 2010, the stock of Canadian direct investment in Argentina stood at 2.5bn, an increase of 25.8% compared with 2009. In 2011, bilateral trade between Canada and Argentina reached almost 2.9bn, up 55.2% from 2010.

Categories: Economy, Politics, International, Latin America, Mercosur.

Tags: Argentina, Canada, Cartagena de Indias, Mercosur, Mercosur summit, Stephen Harper.

Top Comments

Disclaimer & comment rules

Stefan
I can't help but blame this on Obama. His stonewall approach to our northern neighbors has convinced them to look elsewhere for business, like Communist China, and now, the puppet confederation of South American nations. Someone needs to tell the Canadians that these guys are bad news. Thieves and liars, only out to cheat every country they deal with. I actually had a lot of respect for Harper, but if he is gullible enough to climb into bed with Mercosur, then I have doubts about the man's ability to lead.
Who needs friends like the Botox Queen, Lapdogs in Chief, Lugo and Mujica, Double-Standard Rousseff, and our favorite commie fatass, Hugo Chavez? This would also entail having to converse with Hugo's sock-puppet, Correa, and (in my opinion) the most hilariously inept leader on the continent, Evo Morales.
Does Harper truly want to attend meetings where coca leaves are offered to chew, and 90% of the “discussion” is KFC screaming and bashing her fists on the table so hard, molten plastic leaks from her nose?

I'd rather have a sit-down with Kim Jong Un than this ragtag disaster squad.
Mar 23rd, 2012 - 02:53 am 0
kbec
“Support us on the Malvinas, stop pirate usurper ships with the illegal imperialist flag of an empire in decline entering your ports and an agreement is a done deal”

Sorry just thought i'd get in first.
Mar 23rd, 2012 - 03:05 am 0
Mrlayback
was it not a Canadian mining company that had to suspend its mining project in La Rioja, Argentina only recently, after tense protesting,

just a thought......
Mar 23rd, 2012 - 03:37 am 0

Read all comments

Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!