Minister Van Loan and the European Union Trade Commissioner, Karel De Gucht, discussed progress toward a Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement.

Minister Van Loan leaded a trade mission to Turkey and Greece from December 5-10 to support Canadian companies looking to do business in those countries.

Minister Van Loan announced that 17 community organizations in Alberta will receive funding to attract foreign investment. New foreign investment creates jobs and economic growth for Canadians.

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Advisory Board will prepare a plan on how Canadian businesses can capitalize on a Canada-EU trade agreement.

Minister Van Loan and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced that Canadian beef producers will now have duty-free access to the European Union market. This new duty-free access could be worth more than $10 million a year for Canada.

Minister Van Loan visited India from November 14-18, 2010 to launch the negotiations toward a free trade agreement between Canada and India, and to promote bilateral commercial relations.

Minister Van Loan traveled to Japan from November 10-14 to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting and Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Minister Van Loan delivered remarks on the ambitious and comprehensive trade agreement with the EU that will help expand trade and open doors for Canadian companies.

Minister Van Loan visited Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar from October 11-16, 2010 to build opportunities for Canadian businesses.

Minister Van Loan visited Israel from October 9-10, 2010 to promote commercial relations between Canada and Israel.

Minister Van Loan discusses Canada’s strategy for expanding trade opportunities with the Asia-Pacific region at York University’s Schulich School of Business.

Minister Van Loan promotes Canada's economic leadership and announces funding for trade initiatives during a speech delivered at the Diplomatic Forum on September 27, 2010.

Minister Van Loan and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma, announced public release of the results of a joint study on the benefits of free trade.

Canada supports the community of Summerside with a $24,200 contribution to help it further develop and attract foreign investment to create jobs in Prince Edward Island.

Minister Van Loan tabled legislation to implement the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement in the House of Commons.

Minister Van Loan visited Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Costa Rica to reaffirm Canada’s engagement in Latin America and build opportunities for Canadian businesses.

Minister Van Loan announced a joint investment totaling $3.7 million for science and technology projects which will create jobs and wealth for Canadians and Brazilians.

Minister Peter Van Loan announced $2.3 million funding for 30 Canadian business associations.

Minister Van Loan met with Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative, to discuss greater economic cooperation between Canada and the United States.

Minister Van Loan visited Europe from July 3 to July 20 to highlight Canada’s competitive advantages to European partners.

Minister Van Loan promoted Canadian economy and technologies while touring Canadian business displays at the Experience Canada pavilion during the G-20 Summit.

Canada has secured a breakthrough agreement with China to allow staged market access for beef and tallow. This historic agreement will mean more opportunity for Canadian farmers and the businesses that serve them.

Trade ministers met to advance Canada’s ambitious trade agenda and to highlight government of Canada’s trade and investment priorities before the G-8 and G-20 summits.

Minister Van Loan delivered a keynote speech outlining Canada’s leadership role in global economic recovery and discussed Canada’s ambitious free trade agenda.

Minister Van Loan advanced negotiations towards a free trade agreement with Ukraine, which will help further expand trade, open doors for Canadian exporters, encourage economic growth and create jobs at home.

Canadian producers and exporters will benefit from full market access with the re-opening of Panama’s market to Canadian breeding cattle and expanding market access to bovine genetics.

Minister Van Loan visited China and Japan from May 31 to June 7, 2010. While in Japan, he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting of Ministers responsible for trade.

Minister Van Loan delivered a keynote address to Canadian and Spanish business leaders about the progress towards a Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement.

Minister Peter Van Loan visited Washington, D.C. on May 18 and 19, 2010 to promote Canada’s economic success story to U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Minister Van Loan participated in the historic signing of the Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement, and parallel agreements on Labour Cooperation and on the Environment.

Minister Van Loan visited Sweden from May 3 to 4, 2010, Belgium May 4 to 5 and Spain May 6 to 7, to strengthen trade relations with member countries of the European Union.

Minister Van Loan said Canadians stand to benefit from strengthened economic ties with the European Union, the world’s wealthiest single common market.

The new agreement is good news for Canadian travellers and businesses. It will improve and expand air services between Canada and Central America.

Minister Van Loan met with Viktor Zubkov, Russia's First Deputy Prime Minister, to discuss deepening the commercial relations and create opportunities for Canadian and Russian citizens.

Minister Peter Van Loan visited Washington, D.C., April 22 and 23, 2010, to further strengthen the Canada-U.S. trade relationship.

Canada has joined 36 other negotiating countries in releasing the draft consolidated text of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

Canada begins a third round of negotiations towards a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union. This agreement would give Canada preferential access to the wealthiest single market in the world.

Colombia’s announcement is a major breakthrough for the cattle industry. Colombia will be the first country in South America to reopen its market to allow the importation of Canadian cattle.

Minister Van Loan marked 100 years of Canada-Germany trade relations and used this opportunity to promote Canada's free trade negotiations with the European Union.

Canada introduced legislation to implement the Canada-Jordan free trade agreement (FTA). Upon implementation, the FTA will eliminate tariffs on over 99 per cent of Canadian exports by value.

From March 15 to 18, Minister Van Loan visited South Africa and Kenya to promote Canada as a supplier of high-quality of goods and services, and expand trade opportunities for Canadian business in Africa.

This agreement will provide greater market access for Canadian exporters of products such as wheat, pulses, barley, paper products, and heavy equipment.

Airlines of each country will now be able to provide scheduled air services in the other’s territory and will also be able to adjust their prices to meet current market conditions.

Canada announced the conclusion of an agreement with the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia that will provide direct scheduled air service and flexibility to adjust prices.

Canadian pork products will be back on Chinese grocery store shelves. Canada secured the first certification agreement to allow pork imports to China.

During the Olympic Games, Minister Van Loan promoted Canada’s commercial strengths and investment opportunities to foreign investors, as well as to international and domestic media.

The agreement on government procurement will allow Canadian companies to participate in U.S. infrastructure projects being funded under the Recovery Act.

This agreement will expand options for air travellers between the two countries and will benefit Canadian Business and investment activities abroad.

Minister Van Loan promotes Canada’s competitive advantages and economic strengths to foreign investors.

Canada announced more flight options between Canada and the Caribbean. An expanded air services agreement concluded with Cuba allows scheduled air services between any Canadian and Cuban cities.

Minister Van Loan announced 15 initiatives under the Canada-California Strategic Innovation Partnership. The research projects in science and technology will help move ideas from the laboratory to the real world.

On January 19, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the nomination of Peter Van Loan as Minister of International Trade.

Minister Day announced a second round of negotiations toward a comprehensive economic and trade agreement. This agreement could increase Canadian GDP by $12 billion, and bilateral two-way trade could increase by $38 billion.

As part of a comprehensive investment outreach strategy, Minister Day launched a new video to promote Canada as a creative and competitive business partner of choice to global business leaders.

Minister Day announces the launch of a website to help Canadian mining and oil and gas companies operating abroad fulfill their social and environmental responsibilities.