Canada
(Source : High Commission of India, Ottawa)
a. Alerts on tariff changes, non-tariff barriers (SPS/TPT measures, import and export Procedures / restrictions/ prohibitions / licensing etc.), trade policy developments :
• Market Access for Canadian Pork :
The Government of India has provided market access for Canadian pork and pork products. As per the estimates of the Canadian pork industry, gaining access to Indian market could be worth $ 2 million in 2016, with growth in future years, as demand for value-added products is expected to increase. Access to the Indian market aligns with the Government of Canada’s plan to expand trade with large and fast-growing markets. Improved access in this sector will create opportunities for Canadian pork producers and will further facilitate Canada’s position as a long-term reliable in meeting India’s food security objectives.
b. Alerts on Trade Defense Measures taken by Canada: Safeguards including special Safeguard, antidumping, CVD or Anti-subsidy)
In September 2015 the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) initiated an inquiry to determine whether the dumping and subsidizing of hot-rolled carbon steel plate and high- strength low-alloy steel pate originating in or exported from the Republic of India and the Russian Federation have caused injury or are threatening to cause injury to the Canadian domestic industry. In December 2015 the CITT gave notice of initiating an expiry review of its order of August 2011 concerning dumping of flat hot rolled carbon and alloy steel and strip originating in or exported from Brazil, China, Taipei, India and Ukraine, and the subsidizing of such products originating in export from India. The CITT issued its verdict on 12 August 2016. Officials from the Department of Commerce attended the hearing on behalf of the Government of India. The CITT rescinded its orders with respect to the aforementioned goods originating in or exported from India.
1. India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue :
The third India-Canada Annual Ministerial Dialogue was held on September 29 between the Commerce and Industry Minister Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman and the Canadian Minister of International Trade, Ms. Chrystia Freeland at Toronto. The discussion covered outstanding trade and investment related issues and among other things, focused on expanding bilateral trade, having more B 2 B interface with constitution of CEO Forum by Canada and regular interaction between the CEOs on both sides and also expediting the free trade and investment negotiations which are underway. This was the first high level meet led by a Ministerial level delegation from India after the new Government came to power in Canada. The Trade Minister of Canada emphasized the importance of the bilateral relationship and expressed happiness at the back to back visit by the Indian Commerce and Industry Minister and the proposed visit of the Finance Minister Mr. Jaitley in the first week of October.
Both the sides expressed their strong commitment for taking forward the negotiations in CEPA and FIPA and expressed the desire for early conclusion keeping in view the mutual benefits to both countries and working towards a balanced outcome by taking into account sensitivities in certain sectors. Both the sides recognized the importance of FIPA as tool for higher transparency and stability of investments providing greater protection.
Both the Ministers heard each other’s perspective on CEPA and discussed some of the sectors where negotiations seem to have been struck. Responding to the Indian side which has shown enough flexibility in the Services modalities, the Canadian side is looking into the issues concerned with movement of natural persons and what kind of provisions could be built into the CEPA. India also took up the issues of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Workers Entry Programme which has acted as a barrier for the Indian IT companies invested in Canada to source Indian IT professionals as the norms for temporary entry have become more and more stringent. The Trade Minister of Canada assured that a Parliamentary Committee is examining these issues and some of these concerns are likely to be addressed.
Both sides appreciated the need for early institutionalization of the CEO Forum mechanism which would be instrumental in forming an organic link and suggest the issues concerning the trade to the Governments. Canadian side assured moving fast in constituting the Canadian side list of CEO Forum and work out modalities faster. They could also meet prior to the proposed visit of Canadian Prime Minister to India sometime in 2017 and form Groups for identified sub-sectors and come out with a set of recommendations. This would greatly benefit the discussions during the PM level meeting.
India and Canada agreed to cooperate at the International Fora on Trade Facilitation Agreement on Services as well as the unfinished agenda items of Doha Round given the complementarity of both the nations on these issues. The beginning made by both the Governments after assuming power in respective countries, through this Annual Ministerial Dialogue was emphasized by both the Ministers and they resolved to take forward the momentum with an of expanding bilateral trade between both the countries.
2. Visit of India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Canadian and Indian Finance Ministers meet in Toronto to build on partnership:
Canada`s Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, and India`s Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, met in Toronto, on October 3, to discuss the Canada-India relationship. During his visit, Minister Jaitley also met with Canada`s Minister of International Trade, Chrystia Freeland, and Canadian CEOs and business leaders including members of the Canadian Pension Fund Board. Minister Morneau and Minister Jaitley also attended the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group as well as a G20 meeting in Washington D.C., in early October. During the visit, Mr. Jaitley also addressed members of the business community and gave a keynote speech at an event organized by the University of Toronto.