Minister Ng begins new trade dialogue with Australia 

May 14, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening the country’s international trade ties and creating opportunities for Canadian businesses to grow across Canada and around the world to ensure a strong, sustainable, and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, held the first meeting of the Canada-Australia Trade Ministers Dialogue with Dan Tehan, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment.

The establishment of the regular trade ministers dialogue provides a platform for the two ministers to discuss shared priorities and deepen the Canada-Australia bilateral relationship.

Minister Ng highlighted the importance of continued cooperation among Canada, Australia and other trade partners to strengthen global supply chains and support a long-term economic recovery that benefits all.

The two ministers reiterated their commitment to the rules-based international order and economic resiliency.

Ministers Ng and Tehan expressed their commitment to supporting businesses and entrepreneurs with the resources and tools they need to gain access to new and emerging global markets. They emphasized the importance of creating more inclusive opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises, especially those led by women, racialized, and Indigenous entrepreneurs.

Because Canada and Australia are global leaders in clean technology and innovation, Ministers Ng and Tehan highlighted each country’s efforts to develop and implement more clean energy solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral collaboration on shared trade and economic priorities in the Indo-Pacific region, including through multilateral trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, and organizations such as the WTO and APEC.

Associated links

• Canada-Australia relations
• Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership