Should Canada Pursue a Free Trade Deal with South America's Mercosur Bloc?
Official title: Share your views: Consulting Canadians on a potential free trade agreement with Mercosur
Canada is considering restarting free trade talks with Mercosur—the trade bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The government wants to know which Canadian products could benefit from lower tariffs, what trade barriers need addressing, and how to protect labour rights and the environment in any deal.
Why This Matters
Buy beef, soybeans, or coffee? Prices could change. Work in agriculture, manufacturing, or services? New export markets could mean more jobs—or more competition. This deal would affect trade with four countries home to 270 million people.
What Could Change
Tariffs on goods traded between Canada and Mercosur countries could be reduced or eliminated. New rules could govern services, investment, and intellectual property. Labour and environmental standards would be written into the agreement.
Key Issues
- Which Canadian goods would benefit most from tariff reductions?
- What non-tariff barriers should the agreement address?
- Which service sectors have the best export potential?
- How should the deal protect labour rights and the environment?
- How can the agreement support women and Indigenous peoples in trade?
How to Participate
- Read the Canada Gazette notice for full details on what the government is asking.
- Email your feedback to TCE-Consultations@international.gc.ca by the deadline.
Submit Your Input
Questions Being Asked (7)
- What goods of export or import interest would benefit from the removal of tariffs and other barriers?
- What non-tariff barriers, technical barriers to trade, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures should this FTA address?
- Which service sectors and activities are of export interest for Canadian service providers?
- How should the agreement promote environmental protection and conservation?
- How should the agreement promote labour rights and cooperation?
- How can the agreement support traditionally underrepresented groups in trade, including women and Indigenous Peoples?
- What opportunities exist to advance transparency, anti-corruption, responsible business conduct, and human rights?