Tariffs and Non-Tariff Measures

Trade is a key engine driving Canada’s economy. Our current and future growth and prosperity depend on open world markets and a stable, predictable and transparent trading environment. To that end, the Government of Canada aggressively pursues improved market access for trade in goods through negotiations at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. In the non-agricultural market access negotiations under way at the World Trade Organization (WTO), for example, the Government is seeking the reduction or elimination of tariffs. In agriculture, the Government continues to press for a more level international playing field, so that Canada’s producers and processors can compete more effectively in global markets. In particular, Canada seeks the elimination of all forms of export subsidies as quickly as possible, substantial reductions in trade-distorting domestic support, and real and significant market access improvements. In the development of common rules of origin for non-preferential trade, the Government’s objectives are to achieve common rules that provide transparency and certainty for traders and that reflect the global nature of the production and sourcing of goods and materials.

Another priority for Canada in its discussions at the WTO is to secure strong and binding rules on trade facilitation by building on existing WTO obligations (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Articles V, VIII and X) that maximize transparency and streamline customs procedures. The Government also monitors the trade remedy laws and practices of Canada’s key trading partners and makes representations to foreign authorities, where appropriate. Such interventions address matters related to policies or practices that could hurt Canadian exporters in ongoing or future trade remedy cases. As well, the Government provides Canadian exporters involved in trade remedy investigations with information and advice. And in countervailing duty cases involving federal programs, the Government is a respondent and therefore actively involved in the investigation. At the WTO, Canada is actively pursuing improved disciplines on subsidies, greater transparency in the use of trade remedies by our trading partners, and clearer rules aimed at increasing predictability during investigations.

Report a Trade or Investment Barrier

If you have experienced a trade or investment barrier when trying to do business abroad please tell us about it by e-mailing us.

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Contact Point

If you have questions or comments about technical barriers to trade and regulations, we would like to hear from you. Please contact Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada at:

Tariffs and Goods Market Access Division (TPG) 
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Lester B. Pearson Building
125 promenade Sussex Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0G2
Fax: (613) 944-7981
E-mail : consultations@international.gc.ca