Canada - EFTA States Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Course summary Canada - EFTA Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

On July 1, 2009, the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed by Canada and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland entered into force.

The objectives of the Canada EFTA States Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are:
(a) to promote, through the expansion of reciprocal trade, the harmonious development of the economic relations between Canada and the EFTA States and thus to foster in Canada and in the EFTA States the advancement of economic activity;
(b) to provide fair conditions of competition affecting trade between the Parties;
(c) to establish a framework for further co-operation between Canada and the EFTA States in the light of developments in international economic relations, in particular with the aim of liberalising trade in services and increasing investment opportunities; and
(d) to contribute in this way, by the removal of barriers to trade, to the harmonious development and expansion of world trade.

The Agreement covers trade in industrial products, including fish and other marine products, and processed agricultural products. Basic agricultural products are covered by agreements concluded bilaterally between Canada and Iceland, and Norway, and Switzerland, at the same time as the Free Trade Agreement.

Most industrial goods, including fish and other marine products, will benefit from duty-free access to the respective markets as of the entry into force of the Agreement. The elimination of barriers to trade and duty-free access to industrial products of each other’s markets is expected to boost trade flows between Canada and EFTA countries.

The EFTA countries are significant economic partners for Canada. In 2008, two-way merchandise trade was valued at $13.2 billion, including Canadian exports of $4.2 billion. In addition, two-way investment stocks with Norway and Switzerland reached $28.4 billion in 2008.

Canada - EFTA Free Trade Agreement (FTA):

Canada Free Trade Agreements (FTA's)

Contents of the Canada- EFTA Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Index
Preamble
I. Objectives and Scope
Article 1 Objectives
Article 2 Geographical scope
II. Trade in goods
Article 3 Coverage
Article 4 National treatment
Article 5 Import and export restrictions
Article 6 Sanitary and phytosanitary measures
Article 7 Technical regulations
Article 8 Rules of origin and administrative co-operation
Article 9 Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin and Trade in Goods
Article 10 Customs duties
Article 11 Base rate of customs duties
III. Services and Investment
Article 12 Services and investment
Article 13 Temporary entry
IV. Competition Law and Policy
Article 14 General principles
Article 15 Co-operation
Article 16 Communication of information
V. Other common rules
Article 17 Subsidies
Article 18 Anti-dumping
Article 19 State trading enterprises
Article 20 Public procurement
Article 21 Trade facilitation
VI. Exceptions and Safeguards
Article 22 General exceptions
Article 23 Other exceptions
Article 24 Security exceptions
Article 25 Emergency action
VII. Institutional Provisions
Article 26 The Joint Committee
VIII. Dispute Settlement
Article 27 Choice of forum
Article 28 Consultations
Article 29 Arbitration
Article 30 Implementation of the arbitral award
Article 31 Non-implementation - suspension of benefits
IX. Final clauses
Article 32 Evolutionary clause
Article 33 Trade and economic relations governed by this agreement
Article 34 Relationship of this Agreement to extraneous agreements
Article 35 Sub-national entities
Article 36 Annexes
Article 37 Transparency
Article 38 Amendments
Article 39 Additional Parties
Article 40 Withdrawal and termination
Article 41 Provisional application
Article 42 Entry into Force
Article 43 Depositary

Annexes
Annex A Territorial Application
Annex B Canadian Measures
Annex C Rules of Origin and Administrative Co-Operation
Appendix I - Product Specific Rules of Origin
Appendix II - Origin declarations
Annex D Mandate of the Sub-Comittee
Annex E Ships
Annex F Excluded Products
Annex G Processed Agriculture Products
Annex H Fish and Other Marine Products
Annex I Trade Facilitation
Annex J Cultural Industries
Annex K Arbitral Tribunal

Complementary Agreements
Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Republic of Iceland
Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Kingdom of Norway
Agreement on Agriculture between Canada and the Swiss Confederation

Master International Business for Canadian Students

 Educational level: Continuing education / Executive education programs.