"We have a supply management system that continues to be very much in place to protect both our agricultural sector and our consumers. This is something that continues. We have made modifications to the way it works, but we also know that it is something that will ensure the viability and the strength of supply management for years to come."
Was Canada's pursuit of a "progressive" trade agenda a help or a hindrance during the marathon negotiations with the U.S. and Mexico on a new continental free trade pact?
Canada says it is still committed to addressing climate change in its trade relations with the United States through “ongoing negotiations” of a separate environmental agreement.
The price of oil hit a four-year high and the Canadian dollar rose to its highest level since May on Monday, October 1, 2018, but the reaction in North American markets to a tentative trade deal to replace NAFTA was pretty subdued.
Canada gave up some access to its dairy, egg and poultry industries but will keep its agricultural supply management system and avoid punishing auto tariffs under the new North American trade deal.
The new trade deal between Canada, the United States and Mexico does not appear to explicitly mention the terms "climate change" or "global warming." But the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), meant to replace NAFTA, does contain an "environment" chapter.
Canadian dairy farmers have panned the renegotiated trade pact between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, saying the new deal will undercut the industry by limiting exports and opening up the market to more American products.