TORONTO – On a visit to Japan, Prime Minister Stephen Harper ushered in discussions for free trade between Canada and the island nation.
While economic experts warned that the two parties will face an uphill climb by brokering free trade, Ottawa hailed the negotiations as a “historic opportunity.”
Looking back on diplomatic efforts, shared goals on the world stage and friendly gestures of aid, it appears an economic partnership may have been the imminent next step.
Take a look at Canada-Japan relations on several fronts.
Why Canada’s interested:
Japan is the world’s third-largest national economy with a GDP of $5.8 trillion. The free trade talks build on a Canada-Japan joint study that suggests an agreement would mean gains of up to $3.8 billion a year in Canada’s gross domestic product. Canadian exports to Japan could increase by as much as 67 per cent, Ottawa estimates. Canada wants to eliminate taxes on Japan’s agriculture, seafood, forestry and industrial goods.
Canada-Japan exports and imports:
In 2011, bilateral merchandise trade between the two nations totaled $23.7 billion. Our main exports were valued at $10.7 billion and consisted of mineral fuels, oil, mineral ores, wood and meat. Imports into Canada were worth $13 billion and were mainly motor vehicles and machinery, but Canada wants to break into Japan’s burgeoning environmental and IT industries.
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Free trade all around:
Based on the past few years, it’s apparent Canada is certain opening its borders to some economies is an advantage. In less than six years, Canada has formed free trade agreements with nine countries – Colombia, Honduras, Jordan, Panama, Peru and the European Free Trade Association states of Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Talks are ongoing with the European Union and India, a rapidly developing economy.
On the global stage:
So far, Canada and Japan are involved in several world panels, with seats on the G8, G20, APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), and the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).
A helping hand:
Following Japan’s disastrous earthquake and tsunami that ravaged the country and has still left its imprint since March 11, 2011, Canada has sent humanitarian aid, resources and millions od dollars in aid to the island nation. Canadian assistance included a victim identification team, nuclear decontamination equipment and air and medical tools. The Red Cross raised over $6 million.
Diplomatic visits:
In the past few years, the two countries’ leaders have shared in official tours, formal invitations to dine and have participated at world forums. Here are some recent visits both parties have made in an effort to foster friendly relations.
2009: That summer, Canadians welcomed Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan for a 12-day visit, which included tours to Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Victoria. The visit coincided with the 80th anniversary of Canada’s diplomatic presence in Japan and the 50th anniversary of the Royal couple.
As a thank you, the Emperor hosted a lunch for Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife in Tokyo during a 2010 APEC summit break.
2008: Harper visited Japan in 2008 for the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in Tokyo. As a follow up, Foreign Affairs Minister at the time, Lawrence Cannon, and International Trade Minister Stockwell Day returned to Japan in 2009 to discuss bilateral cooperation on peace and security, and a closer economic relationship.
Official apologies:
In 2008, Canada marked its 20th anniversary since Ottawa apologized in the House of Commons and offered compensation for wrongful incarceration of Japanese Canadians during WWII. In 1941, 21,000 Japanese Canadians were removed from their West Coast homes and moved to internment camps in the B.C. Interior.
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