Trade News

The following is excerpted from the 17 April 2012 edition of Reuters Canada. Canada hopes to join a pan-Pacific trade pact in the first half of this year, Trade Minister Ed Fast said on Tuesday, but is committed to maintaining contentious tariffs that help its farmers, though some see them as protectionism. Canada says it has won the public support of 6 of the 9 member countries involved in negotiating a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and is trying to muster support from the rest to secure its entry to the grouping.

The first quiz for CCS designates will be available between 19 April and 10 May. As always, the quiz is worth ten professional development points toward maintenance of the CCS designation, and is FREE of charge. Mark your calendar! Don't miss out on this opportunity to obtain ten points! The second and third quizzes of 2012 will be available on the following dates:

CFIA is currently experiencing communication problems between ACROSS and the CFIA EDI System. There is no ETA as to when this problem will be resolved. For urgent requests, please present paper. FAX : NISC 613-773-9999. At this time we are unable to determine when service will be restored, however, we will keep you informed as information becomes available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and would like to thank you for your cooperation. _________________________________________________

The following is a CBSA message (EDI12-037) (on behalf of CFIA) Please note that the CFIA EDI system is down. If you encounter any problems submitting your transactions please present paper release requests. At this time we are unable to determine when service will be restored, however, we will keep you informed as information becomes available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and would like to thank you for your cooperation. Contact Times and Phone Numbers: National ISC 7:00 AM to 3:00 AM Eastern Time: 800-835-4486

Please be advised the communication problems between CBSA ACROSS and the CFIA EDI System has not been resolved. This connection problem is affecting the transmission of EDI transactions between CBSA ACROSS and the CFIA EDI System. CFIA is not receiving any EDI transactions at this time. We do not have a ETA. _________________________________________________

The following is a CBSA message (EDI12-036) Due to a system problem with the exchange rate file sent out April 16, 2012, the rates for 57 countries were not updated to reflect the Bank of Canada rates for April 17, 2012. Please query the CADEX system to obtain an automated update for the exchange rate file. We regret the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation. _________________________________________________

The ACROSS EDI release requests received report for March 2012 is available on the CSCB website at: http://cscb.ca/sites/default/files/repository/EDI_Report_Mar_2012.xls The national EDI percent was 94.30% _________________________________________________

Members may be interested in the following commentary by Peter G. Hall of Export Development Canada. Worried that international trade is about to run aground? There’s one indicator that suggests we should be. Other leading indicators are actually moving upward, but the Baltic Dry Index – a measure of bulk shipping costs, and normally a bellwether of global trade – is in the abyss. Are we headed for yet another slowdown in global commerce, or has this predictor somehow lost its way? This commentary is available in its entirety at:

The following is excerpted from a 17 April 2012 news release by the Bank of Canada. The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 1/4 per cent and the deposit rate is 3/4 per cent.

The following is excerpted from the 16 April 2012 edition of Global News. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is hoping to use one of Canada's deepest friendships in Latin America to help secure entry into a very attractive Pacific free-trade zone. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was one of the key items on the agenda Monday as Harper met Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, the silver-haired leader that many Canadians might remember from his presence during the dramatic mining rescue of 2010. This article is available in its entirety at:

The following is from the 16 April 2012 edition of the Journal of Commerce. Free trade agreement expected to boost bilateral trade U.S. exporters and importers will be able to better tap the growing Colombian economy starting May 15 when the free trade agreement between the two countries takes effect.

The following is excerpted from a 13 April 2012 news release by the Office of the Prime Minister. The Government of Canada is committed to providing Canadian businesses with the tools they need to excel in the Americas and beyond. The air transport agreements announced today will generate economic growth and employment in Canada and the Americas by providing businesses, travellers and shippers with more flight options and routes to the following destinations: This release is available in its entirety at:

This year, Thompson, Ahern International proudly celebrates one hundred years of excellence in service and dedication. “We like to think of it as our initial Century of Excellence in Crossing Borders,” said President and General Manager, Rod Kyle.

Chapter 07 was published to delete two OGD extensions. 07.01.90.3000.01 - Potatoes, round type (fresh or chilled) 07.01.90.3000.02 - Potatoes, long type (fresh or chilled) This created requirement version changes for the following HS code. 07.01.90.3000 - Potato - tuber (fresh) Please check your version number before submitting through EDI. If you have any questions, please contact your Import Service Centre. _________________________________________________

a) Chapter 05 was published to streamline the import conditions for the following HS Code for the United States. 05.11.99.1995.03 - Bovine dried, bulk, blood or plasma This created requirement version changes for the following HS Code for the United States. 05.11.99.1995.02 - Bovine blood meal b) Chapter 23 was published to streamline the import conditions for the following HS Code for the United States. 23.01.10.1995.03 - Bovine dried, bulk, blood or plasma

The following is excerpted from a 14 April 2012 news release from the Canada News Centre:

The following is a 14 April 2012 news release from the Canada News Centre: Prime Minister Harper met today with Ollanta Humala, President of Peru, on the margins of the Americas CEOs Summit, a private sector event parallel to the Summit of the Americas. Both leaders were speakers at a panel on "Economic Growth and Natural Resources".

The following is a 15 April 2012 release from the Canada News Centre: Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced an important new initiative that will bolster Canada’s efforts to address security challenges in Central America.