Premiers Plan Trade Mission to Asia

Canada’s Premiers announced that they will pursue a joint Council of the Federation mission to Asia, along with the federal government. They agreed to more effectively leverage Canada’s gateways and land-based borders, natural resources, value-added manufactured goods, and services sector, to strengthen provincial relationships with Asia. They also agreed to support and encourage the development and expansion of infrastructure, ports, gateways, and transportation initiatives. In their joint statement, the Premiers said that Asia represents a critical missing pillar in Canada’s trade and investment framework and called on the federal government to enhance access for goods, services and citizens between Canada and Asian markets, with a high priority to China, India, Korea, Japan and Singapore. Currently, Canada has no trade agreements with Asia.