Canada

USMCA’s implementation and Mexican labor reform efforts also were discussed.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Canada’s top trade official on Monday agreed to hold a U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Free Trade Commission meeting soon, USTR said following Tai’s first virtual meeting with an international counterpart.

The separate meetings will cover COVID-19 relief efforts and other issues, including the new U.S.-Canada Partnership Roadmap.

The panel will address softwood lumber, “Buy America” policies and more.

Following a recent push from House Democrats to add the 2015 Paris Agreement to the list of multilateral environment agreements covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the Canadian government says it is open to the idea and looking forward to working with the Biden administration on a “shared priority.”

Canada should impose trade sanctions on the U.S. if President Biden does not reconsider his decision to block the completion of the Keystone XL pipeline and open a dialogue with the Canadian government, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said on Wednesday.  

Canada has requested dispute settlement consultations with the U.S. under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement over safeguard restrictions President Trump applied to solar imports in 2018, contending the measures violate the deal’s language on trade remedies and customs duties.

“While Article 24.2 states that an environmental policy may not be a ‘disguised restriction on trade or investment,’ there is no indication that is applicable in this situation.”

The European Union, Canada, Japan and 10 other countries on Monday pledged to launch an initiative on medical supplies aimed at identifying steps World Trade Organization members can take to facilitate trade and better position countries amid the public health crisis.