Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement modernization

On January 27, 2022, Canada and Ukraine announced the launch of negotiations for the modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA). CUFTA entered into force on August 1, 2017, eliminating tariffs on most bilateral merchandise trade. It has a range of commitments related to non-tariff measures aimed at ensuring gains in market access are not constrained by unjustified trade barriers. It also includes commitments related to trade facilitation that are designed to reduce red tape at the border. In 2020, the value of Canada’s merchandise exports to Ukraine totalled $161 million and the value of merchandise imports from Ukraine amounted to $144 million.

CUFTA has a review clause (Article 19.2) committing the 2 countries to review the Agreement within 2 years of its entry into force, with a view to expanding it to include new areas not part of the original agreement, such as investment and trade in services. The Parties will also be exploring areas not identified in the review clause, such as inclusive trade. In July 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to modernize CUFTA to create new opportunities and good, middle-class jobs for Canadians and Ukrainians alike.

Canada conducted public consultations in early 2020 to seek the views of Canadians on the potential modernization of CUFTA. A report on the consultations was published on the Global Affairs Canada website in May 2020. During the consultations, Canadians expressed broad support for modernizing the agreement as a means to further strengthen Canada and Ukraine’s bilateral commercial relationship and to build on Canada’s current engagement with Ukraine.

Modernizing CUFTA will create new opportunities to maximize the agreement’s benefits for Canadian workers, entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises. It will also help reinforce the rules-based international system by advancing fair, inclusive and transparent trade with Ukraine and will support prospects for long-term security, stability and broad-based economic development in Ukraine.

Officials will begin negotiations as soon as it is feasible.

Consulting Canadians

• Report: Public consultations on the possible modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement

Related links

• Canada announces strengthening of trade relations with Ukraine
• Joint statement on the launch of negotiations to modernize the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement
• Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (services and information)
• Text of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (Table of contents)
• Agreement Between the Government of Canada and the Government of Ukraine for the Promotion and Protection of Investments
• Canada and Ukraine further strengthen cooperation
• Canada Gazette, Part 1, Volume 155, Number 12: Notice of Intent to conduct impact assessments of the modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement
• Canada’s engagement in Ukraine