March 19, 2021
The Government of Canada announced the launch of public consultations on new trade negotiations with the United Kingdom.
These consultations are in the context of both a new, bilateral free trade agreement and the United Kingdom's potentially joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
On December 9, 2020, Canada and the United Kingdom signed the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-U.K. TCA), which substantively replicates the provisions of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement to provide predictability and stability in trade relations.
As the TCA is meant to be an interim measure, both countries have committed to making best efforts to conclude a new comprehensive trade agreement.
On February 1, 2021, the United Kingdom submitted its notice of intent to accede to the CPTPP, the free trade agreement currently in force between Canada and 6 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region: Australia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam.
All interested parties are invited to submit their views by April 27, 2021.