(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

World Trade

Trade organization calls for fair dispute process

Mar 30, 2020 | 10:55 AM

The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) wants assurances trade will continue while establishing an appeal arrangement for trade disputes.

Several governments released a joint statement affirming their commitment to keeping trade lines open. This included Canada Australia, Brunei, Chile, Myanmar, New Zealand and Singapore.

CAFTA President Dan Darling said Canada and 15 World Trade Organization (WTO) members also agreed to establish a contingency appeal arrangement for trade disputes.

“As nations grapple with COVID-19 and its dramatic economic fallout, we welcome commitments by trading partners to keep trade open and refrain from imposing tariffs and non-tariff barriers ensuring robust and resilient global supply chains remain operational,” Darling said in a news release.

Canadian agri-food exporters are under immense pressure. Darling said it was encouraging to see nations working together to ensure that cross-border trade continues to flow.

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“We’re pleased to see Canada and other members of the WTO have established an interim arrangement to hear appeals and resolve disputes between trading partners. We welcome the progress to return some certainty and certainty to global trade rules three months after the paralysis of the WTO Appellate Body,” he said. “It is important that we have assurance that trade rules are respected. Given the vital role the WTO’s dispute settlement system plays for Canadian exporters, we are hopeful that the full functionality of the appellate body is soon restored.”

Darling said he agreed governments need to focus on fighting the spread of COVID-19, but global efforts will be required post-pandemic to jump-start economies.

“History has proven that cutting tariffs, removing barriers, and facilitating the unfettered flow of trade can help spur growth and restore confidence for global economic recovery,” he said. “As the head of the WTO recently stated, it will be important countries tap into each other’s growth which will help economies recover more quickly than if we try to act alone.”

Darling said in times of crisis working together is the best option and trade policy can and must be part of the solution.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF