Canada - European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
The free trade agreement (FTA) between Canada and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland entered into force on July 1, 2009 (News Release: New Trade Agreement Eliminates Barriers and Opens Doors to European Markets). Also entering into force at the same time as the FTA were three associated bilateral agreements on agriculture with Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, with the Canada-Switzerland bilateral agreement covering Liechtenstein.
On June 7, 2007, Canada and the EFTA countries announced the conclusion of free trade agreement negotiations, and on January 26, 2008, the FTA and associated Bilateral Agricultural Agreements were signed on the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (News Release: New Free Trade Deal Caps Successful Year for Canada in Global Commerce).
The Government of Canada announced the launch of negotiations with the EFTA countries on October 9, 1998 following extensive consultations to gauge Canadians' interests and sensitivities. A free trade agreement with EFTA was supported by a broad cross-section of Canadian stakeholders.
The Canada-EFTA FTA is a “first-generation” agreement with an emphasis on tariff elimination. It does not include substantial new obligations in areas such as services, investment, and intellectual property but does establish a commitment to review the Agreement with a view to considering the scope for possible expansion of the FTA into these and other areas at a later date.
Bilateral Agreements
Related Links
General
Switzerland & Liechtenstein
- Fact Sheet - Switzerland
- Fact Sheet - Liechtenstein
- Embassy of Canada to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
- Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Switzerland
- Export Development Canada – Switzerland Profile
Iceland
- Fact Sheet - Iceland
- Embassy of Canada to Iceland
- Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Iceland
- Export Development Canada – Iceland Profile
Norway
- Fact Sheet - Norway
- Embassy of Canada to Norway
- Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Norway
- Export Development Canada – Norway Profile
Contact Point
If you have questions or comments about this free trade agreement we would like to hear from you. Please contact Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada at:
Trade Policy and Negotiations Division I (TPE)
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Fax: 613-944-0757
Email: consultations@international.gc.ca
