Canada

Trade ministers from G7 countries agreed during meetings this week to tackle an array of trade issues including market-distorting practices, World Trade Organization reform, digital trade, forced labor practices and trade and the environment, according to a joint communiqué issued on Friday.

“We are confident that our policies are in full compliance with our CUSMA TRQ obligations, and we will vigorously defend our position during the dispute settlement process.”

The Commerce Department last week issued a preliminary ruling in twin antidumping and countervailing duty reviews on Canadian softwood lumber imports, more than doubling the combined 8.99 percent duties already in place, according to Commerce Department memos.

“We strongly urge you to move forward with further enforcement action.”

“It would provide predictability for lumber producers and homebuilders so they can continue to help the economy recover from the events of the past year.”

Four years of Trump administration moves spurred a “loss of faith” in the U.S.’ commitments to its trade obligations, says Josh Meltzer, a senior fellow in global economy and development with the Brookings Institution. But with a new administration and a renewed focus on the economic integration of North America via the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, he sees an opportunity to improve the discourse on trade policy -- and to help ensure the U.S. and the other parties to the deal are living up to their promises.

“In order to have an agreement, and in order to have a negotiation, you need to have a partner. And thus far the Canadians have not expressed interest in engaging.”

The first U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement Free Trade Commission meeting between the three countries’ top trade officials will take place in mid-May, industry sources tell Inside U.S. Trade. 

New World Trade Organization rules aimed at reining in trade practices that harm the environment are likely to be negotiated only among a plurilateral group of members in the short term, a top Canadian agriculture official said on Wednesday, even as analysts push for countries to do more.