MONTRÉAL, Québec (CU)_The ongoing US tariffs on Canadian exports of solar products are “unwarranted” and are in violation of the provisions and the spirit of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Canadian Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng, said on Thursday (Jan 7).
The Minister called on the Unites States to work together with Canada through strong cross-border climate action, in the post-pandemic economic recovery, in order to cut pollution, strengthen supply chains, attract investments in the North American economy, as well as to expand job opportunities for people from both countries, in the increasingly competitive “low-carbon global economy”.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as the first step in the “CUSMA dispute settlement process”, Canada has requested consultations with the United States on this regard, noting that if the two neighbouring countries are unable to resolve this matter through consultations, Ottawa may request the establishment of a dispute settlement panel to adjudicate the issue.
“Canada will always stand up for its workers and against unjustified trade actions,” the statement read.
Back in 1994, the United States, Mexico and Canada created the largest free trade region in the world by signing the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Last year, the three nations signed the new Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which incorporated new and updated provisions that seek to address 21st century trade issues, while preserving key elements of the long-lasting trade relationship between the three countries.
In 2019, commodities worth nearly $1 trillion crossed the Canada-United States border, with almost $3 billion worth of goods and services being traded between the two countries each day. However, it is reported that since the imposition of the US safeguard tariffs in early 2018, Canada’s exports of solar products to the US have experienced a decline by as much as 82 per cent.
