The World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat issued its Trade Policy Review report on Canada’s international trade performance for the period 2019-2023.
Trade Policy Reviews are an exercise, mandated in the WTO agreements, in which member countries’ trade and related policies are examined and evaluated at regular intervals.
The WTO notes that, during the period under review (2019-23), Canada took steps to continue improving its generally open and highly transparent trade regime, reflecting the centrality of international trade and the global rules-based trading system to Canada’s economy and high living standards.
The reports notes that Canada’s trade strategy seeks to revitalize exports and promote diversification, not just of export markets and products, but also of the businesses and people engaged in trade, including women, Indigenous Peoples, and other traditionally under-represented groups.
In line with these goals, the review period saw Canada adopt measures to facilitate trade, strengthen its competition policy and intellectual property (IP) frameworks, promote R&D, modernize its regulations in key sectors, and expand its network of free trade agreements.