Trade News

The following is excerpted from a 20 April 2012 news release by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today wrapped up a four-country visit to the Americas by highlighting, to participants at the first G-20 trade ministers’ meeting in Mexico, Canada’s pro-trade plan for jobs, growth and long-term prosperity and Canada’s value as a trading partner.

The following is excerpted from a 20 April 2012 news release by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. The Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, today announced the successful conclusion of a third round of negotiations to modernize the Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement.

The following has been updated and is now available on the CBSA Web site: Memorandum D17-1-4, Release of Commercial Goods http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d17/d17-1-4-eng.html _________________________________________________

The following is excerpted from a 19 April 2012 news release by Export Development Canada. A new forecast by Export Development Canada (EDC) is focusing on the substantial, trade-driven growth that is currently being obscured within the popular ‘new normal’ narrative. “Years of sluggish growth have convinced us that weakness is here to stay, especially in light of the significant public spending cuts around the globe. This ‘new normal’ thinking is masking a very good business story,” said Peter Hall, Chief Economist, EDC.

The following is from the 20 April 2012 edition of the Journal of Commerce. Imports rose 32.1 percent, exports 21 percent in fiscal 2011-12 India’s trade deficit soared to $185 billion in fiscal 2011-12 as a 32.1 percent jump in imports outpaced a 21 percent growth in exports. “This is the highest ever trade deficit and is a serious concern,” Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar said in New Delhi, releasing the latest provisional trade figures.

The following form has been updated and is available on the CBSA website: E601, Traveller Declaration Card to Be Used by Canadian Residents to Declare Goods http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/forms-formulaires/e601-eng.pdf _________________________________________________

Please note - Question 25 on the CCS quiz includes a reference to HS 3926.90.90. Although no longer in effect, this HS is correct in this instance. This particular HS was in effect at the time a decision regarding the issue described in question 25 was made. You can find additional information to help you answer this question in one of the daily email messages provided to CCS designates. Don’t miss your chance to gain ten (10) professional development points toward maintenance of your CCS designation. The first CCS Designate Quiz for 2012 is now available.

Chapter 01 was published to add a release recommendation of "Refer to CFIA-ISC" for the following HS code. 01.06.90.2102 - Earthworms Please check your version number before submitting through EDI. If you have any questions, please contact your Import Service Centre. _________________________________________________

The following is a CBSA message (EDI12-038) Saturday, April 21st, 2012 CCS / CADEX Outage: Please be advised that due to scheduled maintenance, CCS/CADEX will be down from 05:00 to 05:30 (Eastern Time). CADEX and CUSDEC B3s and AO release queries transmitted to the CADEX system will be affected by this outage. Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 Full EDI Outage:

The following information regarding the 2012 Budget and its affect on the CFIA has been posted on CFIA’s website. The CFIA continues to strengthen Canada’s food safety system and protect Canadian families. Budget 2012 identified funding of $51M over two years for key food safety initiatives. Through Budget 2011, the Government invested $100M to modernize food inspection. And in the previous four budgets, the CFIA received additional investments to improve the food safety system and hire new inspectors.

Members may be interested in the Joint Testimony of Deputy Chief, U.S. Border Patrol Ronald D Vitiello and Executive Director, Southwest Region, Office of Air and Marine Martin E. Vaughan Before House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security which is available on the CBP website at: http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/congressional_test/vv_guar…

All CFIA systems are functioning normally. The back log of EDI transactions have been cleared. _________________________________________________

a) Chapter 5 was published to streamline the import requirements for the following HS code. 05.11.99 - Other b) Chapter 10 was published to streamline the import conditions for the following HS codes: 10.01.11.0081 - Cereal - Durum wheat - seed 10.01.19.0082 - Cereal - Durum wheat - grain 10.01.91.0095 - Cereal - Other wheat - seed 10.01.99.0099 - Cereal - Other wheat - grain 10.02.10.0095 - Cereal - Rye - seed 10.02.90.0096 - Cereal - Rye - grain

Don’t miss your chance to gain ten (10) professional development points toward maintenance of your CCS designation. Please click below to access the free quiz: English French _________________________________________________

The following is excerpted from the 18 April 2012 edition of Embassy Magazine. Cuts to the Canada Border Services Agency could impact the country's Perimeter border plan with the United States or ruffle feathers in Washington, say union and opposition members—but the US Embassy says it has full confidence in Canada, and the Harper government denies frontline positions are being cut.

The following is excerpted from a 17 April 2012 speech by Pascal Lamy of the World Trade Organization. Director-General Pascal Lamy, in a speech at the Minnesota Economic Club in Minneapolis, United States on 17 April 2012, said that “trade improves the lives of most people around the world”. He added that singer Bob Dylan’s words “the times they are a changing” still ring true today in world trade. This speech is available in its entirety at:

The following is excerpted from the 18 April 2012 edition of Embassy Magazine. Cutting the number of government commerce officers across Canada could mean a more regional and specialized approach to trade promotion and investment, say analysts, but they also argue it is unlikely the government will downsize teams working on big trade deal talks.