Canada’s interventions – WTO General Council

May 9 and 10, 2022

I. REPORT BY THE CHAIR OF THE TRADE NEGOTIATIONS COMMITTEE AND REPORT BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

Canada would like to thank Ukraine for updating the Council on the negative impact the violation of its sovereignty by Russian soldiers and munitions is having on Ukraine’s ability to participate in the work of the WTO.

We all see the Russian missiles and warships blocking the shipment of Ukrainian agricultural products to world today, and preventing further production for delivery later this year.

Canada strongly condemns Russia for causing these devastating humanitarian consequences and the senseless deaths of innocent people.

It alone has taken this reckless action at a fragile moment in the global economic recovery from COVID-19.

The cause of the negative consequences stemming from this attack, that lies solely at the feet of the Russian leadership, and their attempts to propagate false narratives will never change that.

Canada will continue to stand by the brave men and women fighting for their freedom in Ukraine.

Canada will continue to work closely with allies and partners to promote peace and security for all states and their citizens.

Canada will continue to do all it can to mitigate the negative consequences of Russia’s illegal military actions and to improve food security by ensuring the availability and accessibility of food and the long-term stability of food supplies.

II. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BALI, NAIROBI AND BUENOS AIRES OUTCOMES – STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

Canada wishes to take this opportunity to encourage all Members who are supporting the extension of the moratorium and the work program to consider co-sponsoring the draft decision, contained in document WT/GC/W/831.Rev5, in advance of MC12.

We believe it is important to send a clear signal to the international community. 

For more than 20 years, Members have been maintaining the moratorium, offering predictability and certainty to business and helping facilitate and support the growth of cross border digital trade.

Canada remains strongly convinced of the broad benefits that the moratorium have provided to both businesses and consumers.

A non-renewal of the moratorium and the work program would be a step-back, greater than before, given the increase role that digital trade has played through the pandemic ans will continue to play.

Canada is looking forward to continuing our engagement, with other Members on this important issue.

We remain open to consider ways to further reflect in the draft decision some development-related aspects. We certainly welcome additional co-sponsors.

IV. TWELFTH SESSION OF THE MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE – STATEMENT BY THE CHAIR

We must never forget that Russia’s attacks are causing widespread suffering and resulting in the death of innocent people in Ukraine.

Canada condemns the military actions by the Russian Federation against the sovereign territory and people of Ukraine.

Furthermore, we continue to reject any suggestion that Russia’s war is merely a “political issue” and that the WTO should not be involved in “political issues”.

As Ukraine has just made clear to the General Council, Russia’s illegal invasion is having a significant negative impact on Ukraine’s ability to participate in the work of the WTO and benefit from the world trading system.

In addition, the WTO exists as a rules-based organization, and Russia’s illegal actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the most fundamental tenets of international law.

The consequences of Russia’s actions have already extended well beyond Ukraine’s borders, making it even more clearly a direct concern to every Member represented here.

Russia’s actions are hindering the global economic recovery from COVID-19 and negatively impacting global food security.

Absent Russian missiles, Ukrainian infrastructure would still be working. Absent Russian naval attacks, cargo ships full of grain would be transiting the Black Sea. Absent Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, world food prices would reflect normal market conditions.

Russia is solely responsible for this crisis, and its misinformation will never change that.

Turning to MC12, Canada would like to be clear that the lesson we take from these egregious violations by Russia of international law is that multilateral rules are more important than ever.

Canada remains steadfast in its commitments to the ideals and objectives of the WTO, and we will continue to work towards outcomes at MC12.

a. WTO RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC – REPORT BY THE FACILITATOR

Canada’s objectives have remained the same as we have worked on this topic throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the spirit that global crises demand global cooperation, the WTO response must point to the need for:

• purposeful transparency of trade measures taken;
• the maintenance of open markets;
• an exercise of restraint in the use of trade restrictive measures;
• a review of those measures so that they are removed as soon as possible.

The multilateral trading system needs to encourage collective and common purpose, and support the multilateral efforts of those charged with addressing future global health crises.

Canada will continue to engage in the Facilitator’s process with these objectives in mind.

VIII. JOINT STATEMENT ON OPEN AND PREDICTABLE TRADE IN AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD PRODUCTS – REQUEST FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM

The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia has exacerbated global food security concerns and has caused the largest shock to agriculture markets in recent history.

Russia is solely responsible for exacerbating this food security crisis, and its false narratives cannot change that.

Ukraine as one of the world’s top exporters of wheat, maize, barley, and sunflower oil and as a major supplier to the World Food Program is limited in its ability to export and supply the world due to Russia’s actions.

The most effective action to address immediate global food security concerns is for Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

The commitments and calls for action in this joint statement are aimed at ensuring the current global food security situation is not made worse.

This joint statement outlines a series of actions that will keep agriculture markets open, transparent and predictable in response to this crisis.

These include:

• exercising restraint in hoarding and stockpiling of crops that are traditionally exported,
• a commitment to not imposing unjustified export restrictions and trade restrictive measures.
• ensuring that emergency measures introduced to mitigate food security impacts should be temporary, targeted and proportionate and in accordance with WTO rules.
• a commitment to not impose export restrictions on purchases by the World Food Program and a call for a multilateral outcome on this issue as soon as possible.

Finally, this statement underlines the importance of transparency in responding to the food security crisis.

Providing policy makers and market actors with the appropriate information on markets, trade measures will allow informed policy decisions that can help keep markets open, and predictable and avoid the worst case scenarios.

To conclude, we call on WTO Members to work together at MC12 and beyond to create a more open, predictable, and transparent trade in order to create a more resilient international agriculture trading system. 

XII. TRADE-DISRUPTIVE PRACTICES OF CERTAIN MEMBERS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE WTO – COMMUNICATION FROM THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION (WT/GC/245)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is completely unjustifiable. The negative consequences stemming from this attack lie solely at the feet of the Russian leadership, and Russia’s attempts to propagate falsehoods will never change that.

The WTO exists as a rules-based organization, and Russia’s illegal actions demonstrate a complete disregard for the most fundamental principles of international law.

Russia should not continue to benefit from the international order while its every action demonstrates a complete disregard for that order. 

We stress that our measures do not target Russia’s agricultural exports and are primarily directed at the Russian Government, the financial and energy sectors and economic elites and are aimed at curtailing Russia’s ability to continue to finance its illegal invasion of Ukraine. 

Canada is acting to protect its essential security interests, which are inextricably linked to a rules-based international environment.

Canada will also continue to stand by the brave men and women fighting for their freedom in Ukraine.

Canada calls on Russia to abandon this path of war and return to good-faith diplomacy.

This represents the best means of addressing what is not only an urgent humanitarian emergency in Ukraine, but also a growing global food security crisis.