Canada`s free trade agreements help ensure that Canadian businesses are treated in the same predictable and transparent way as their domestic competitors abroad, turley says. In the increasingly integrated global economy, it is important for businessmen to be able to cross borders in order to facilitate trade and investment. Removing non-tariff barriers “helps Canadian businesses grow and prosper by ensuring smooth cross-border travel or temporary relocations,” he says. For example, some free trade agreements facilitate access for certain categories of businessmen, such as business visitors, intra-company transfers, highly qualified professionals and investors. Countries can insist that foreign companies build local factories as part of the agreement. They may require these companies to share technology and form a local workforce. Canada has begun to develop and implement modernized trade agreements with countries such as Chile and Israel, while recognizing that the impact of trade is not gender-neutral. Lucas McCall, an inclusive trade expert in trade policy and negotiations division at Global Affairs Canada, says Canada`s approach is to look for specific trade and gender chapters in trade agreements and “spread gender clauses” in trade agreements. In these provisions, the Parties recognise and undertake to address issues such as barriers faced by women exporters and discrimination in the workplace. That is why the international trade rules of free trade agreements must be used strategically. Over time, how the CHT achieves this has expanded to promote Canada`s network of trade agreements that reduce and eliminate barriers to trade. Free trade agreements are concluded by two or more countries that wish to seal economic cooperation between them and agree on trade conditions. In the agreement, Member States explicitly indicate tariffs and customs dutiesA tariff is a form of tax applied to imported goods or services.

Tariffs are a common element in international trade. The main tax objectives to be imposed on Member States when it comes to imports and exports. The first trade agreement with the United States dates back to 1935 and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1994 with the United States and Mexico. NAFTA was renegotiated in 2018 and renamed the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). 5. Technology transfer and increased integration – enhanced trade allows for better market integration and also facilitates the transfer of skills and technology. Free trade obliges companies to support the rule of law. The World Trade Organization requires members to respect all WTO agreements and decisions. Countries that don`t enforce contracts lose business and investors move their money elsewhere. If a country wants to retain the benefits of free trade, it must play by the rules. The Heritage Foundation reports that free trade “also conveys ideas and values,” which leads to stronger, more stable governments in smaller countries.