The Canadian Press reports, “Canada and China appear to be setting the stage for free trade talks. In a joint statement highlighting over 20 developments made over Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s two days in Beijing, the two countries say they’ll wrap up a joint economic study by May. The statement says that once that’s complete, the two countries will proceed to ‘exploratory discussions on deepening trade and economic relations’. The prime minister was expected to expand on those themes in a speech later on Thursday.”
Timeline/ background:
– May 2007: Then trade minister David Emerson said that he thought a Canada-China free trade agreement could be reached in two years. While that hasn’t happened, Emerson did indicate at that time that it was a priority for the Harper government.
– September 2009: Former prime minister Brian Mulroney said in a speech in Beijing, “A Canada-China investment agreement would send an important message to business and investors that foreign investment in both directions is a vital part of developing the full potential of the relationship.” He added, “There have been discussions about a Canada-China Investment Agreement for more than 10 years. The time has come to get it done.”
– December 2009: Just prior to his trip to China, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said, “Our two countries enjoy a growing partnership, sharing significant interests in trade and investment, the environment and regional security.” The Globe and Mail reported at that time, “One Conservative… underlined how Canada cannot rely on the U.S. as its dominant trading partner, and had to look harder at emerging partners like China.”
– June 2010: The Toronto Star reported, “China’s President Hu Jintao will make an official state visit to Ottawa… Top of the list of issues to be discussed during Hu’s visit will be energy. With its economy continuing to boom, China has become increasingly attracted to energy resources around the world, and Canada’s oil and gas supplies are no exception. Preparations are already underway for the signing of energy agreements between Canada and China that could come as early as next week – or soon after.”
– November 2010: The final communiqué of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (which includes Canada and China) stated, “We will take concrete steps toward realization of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (by 2020)…”
– July 2011: The Globe and Mail reported, “John Baird travelled to China, just weeks after being appointed Foreign Minister, conceding that the world’s largest exporter is ‘incredibly important’ to Canada’s future prosperity.”
– August 2011: The Globe and Mail reported, “Since winning a majority this spring, the (Harper) government has ramped up its focus on China, which is now the world’s second-largest economy and Canada’s second-largest trading partner, behind the United States. …In the fall (reportedly in November), Mr. Harper is expected to travel to China, where he will be under pressure to win an investment-protection agreement that would shield Canadian businesses operating in China from unfair treatment. In return, China hopes Canada will permit Chinese companies to increase the amount of investment in Canadian resource companies producing minerals, lumber, oil and gas and other commodities needed to fuel China’s fast-growing economy.” It now appears that Fast will be travelling to China in Harper’s place.
– February 2012: The Globe and Mail reported, “Mr. Harper and Premier Wen Jiabao oversaw the signing of a statement of intent to bolster protection for Canadians investing in China. The two sides now have a draft Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement… Trade Minister Ed Fast said it would include a dispute-resolution mechanism that would provide third-party judgments in cases where an investor from one country feels unfairly treated in the other. …China currently doesn’t import any oil from Canada, although one of the smaller agreements signed was the extension of an existing memorandum of understanding on energy co-operation that the Prime Minister’s Office said would ‘improve access to markets for Canada’s energy resources, technology and related services’.”
Yesterday, Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow commented, “Instead of promoting corporate friendly trade and investment deals that profit only the privileged, Canadians should be standing shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people seeking better working conditions, improved human rights, and a clean environment in both our countries. The China trip makes it clear once and for all that Stephen Harper has put human rights on the back burner and seeks to promote the interests of the global energy and extractive industries at all costs.” Barlow’s Huffington Post Canada blog can be read at http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/maude-barlow/harper-china-oil_b_1263034.html?ref=canada.
