Public Policy Forum recommends sectoral trade agreements with China to diversify Canada's economic future
OTTAWA, Oct. 11, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada can truly diversify its trade and break its dependence on a single partner by pursuing a strategy built on sectoral trade agreements with China, the Public Policy Forum says in a major new report.
This made-in-Canada strategy would allow Canada deeper engagement with the world's fastest-growing economy while maintaining its sovereignty and values. Notably, PPF's central proposal — sectoral trade agreements — is not expected to run counter to the proposed United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which would appear to restrict Canada's ability to pursue a comprehensive free-trade deal with a country like China.
The strategy is outlined in PPF's new report, Diversification Not Dependence: A Made-in-Canada China Strategy, released Thursday, Oct. 11.
The report is a product of PPF's 18-month Consultative Forum on China, which drew on the experience, knowledge and participation of dozens of business leaders, academics, senior government leaders, NGOs and other experts. It was chaired by PPF President and CEO Edward Greenspon and Kevin Lynch, Vice-Chairman of BMO Financial Group and former Clerk of the Privy Council.
Canada cannot expect to thrive without engaging China, the world's second-largest economy and leader of global growth. It has a fast-growing middle class that wants what Canada has to offer, such as safe, high-quality food and health products. China's desire for better security of supply can be met by Canada's desire for greater stability of demand in its exports.
The report recommends a strategy of increasing engagement, starting with agreements in less-controversial sectors that don't involve technology transfers and security concerns, such as agri-food (including fisheries), forestry, natural resources, insurance and wealth management, cleantech, life sciences, engineering services, tourism, education and research. Each agreement would build knowledge, trust and confidence between the two nations and address non-tariff barriers to trade. At the same time, Canada should reach out to China to cooperate on global issues of shared interest, such as climate change.
Canada needs a strategy that shows that it is committed to this relationship for the long term and that it is finally ready to engage with its Pacific neighbour as much as It does with its Atlantic and American ones. In order to reach its export potential, Canada needs to upskill leaders and citizens from all walks of life on China and support businesses to develop China trade competencies.
Key to this made-in-Canada strategy is protecting national security and encouraging China to abide by its international human rights commitments, which Canadians expect as much as they look forward to greater prosperity through trade with China.
QUOTE
"Without a diversification plan that includes China, Canada will stifle its growth and its influence in the world and perpetuate the very dependence that has left us so breathtakingly bereft of bargaining power," said Edward Greenspon, co-chair of the Public Policy Forum's Consultative Forum on China.
ABOUT PPF
The Public Policy Forum builds bridges among diverse participants in the policy-making process and gives them a platform to examine issues, offer new perspectives and feed fresh ideas into policy discussions. We believe good policy makes a better Canada.
SOURCE PUBLIC POLICY FORUM
Media inquiries: Carl Neustaedter, Director of Communications, Public Policy Forum, [email protected], 613.238.7858 ext. 286, Mobile: 613.866.7210; Tomek Sysak, Communications Specialist, Public Policy Forum, [email protected], 613.238.7858 ext. 241
Share this article