Minister of International Trade Diversification Jim Carr participated in the inaugural Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission meeting held in Tokyo on January 19. The meeting was an opportunity for representatives from all CPTPP countries to mark the achievement of the CPTPP’s entry into force and discuss elements necessary for full implementation. Minister Carr also used the opportunity to promote Canadian beef. Representatives from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam participated in the Commission meeting. In a statement, Ottawa said Canada’s trade diversification strategy is about securing more opportunities for exporters to compete and succeed in growing global markets, including in the Asia Pacific. Opening new markets and reducing tariffs through trade agreements, such as the CPTPP, leads to economic growth and secures more well-paying jobs for Canadian workers, the statement said. On December 30, 2018, the CPTPP entered into force among the first six countries to ratify the agreement: Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and Singapore. On January 14, 2019, the CPTPP also entered into force for Vietnam. Canada is now the only G7 nation with free trade agreements with all other G7 members and with free trade access across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

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