UK International Trade Secretary and Canadian
Minister for Small Business, Export Promotion and
International Trade Mary Ng have today (Friday 19 March)
spoken to welcome the ratification of the UK-Canada trade
continuity agreement and to commit to bringing it into
force next month.
In December the UK and Canada agreed a Memorandum of
Understanding to ensure exporters could continue to benefit
from preferential tariff rates until the deal is brought
into force.
The agreement, which supports total trade between Canada
and the UK worth £22.4bn in 2019, will help both countries
build back better from the Covid-19 pandemic by supporting
high-quality jobs in industries such as automotive and food
and drink.
It saves an estimated £42 million tariff burden on UK
exports including through eventual zero tariffs on cars,
and zero tariffs on beef, fish, chocolate bars and soft
drinks. British consumers will continue to benefit from
zero tariffs on Canadian maple syrup, biscuits and salmon.
During the call, the Ministers reaffirmed their shared
commitment to pursuing a new trade deal this year which
would look to go further and faster in a number of areas
including digital, data, the environment and women’s
economic empowerment.
Ms Ng welcomed the UK’s interest in joining the
Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP).
Both Ministers agreed to work together to promote free and
fair trade globally, including at the upcoming G7 Trade
Ministers’ meeting.
International Trade Secretary said:
We have an exciting year ahead working with Canada to
advance our shared priorities for free and fair trade and
I look forward to building further momentum through our
G7 Presidency this year.
Later this year, we will take our trading relationship to
new heights by starting negotiations on a new trade deal
that will help us set the bar for 21st Century trade,
bringing jobs opportunity, and prosperity for our people.
