New Trade Agreement Thresholds…
Effective January 1, 2024, updated thresholds for government procurement coverage under Canada’s international, national and sub-national trade agreements are provided in this downloadable PDF document (PDF, 135 KB).
But No New Trade Agreements…
UK Pauses Negotiations of a Canada-UK Free Trade Agreement
The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (Canada-UK TCA) entered into force on April 1, 2021, with the intent of providing continuity post-Brexit until Canada and the UK negotiated a new comprehensive bilateral free trade agreement. These negotiations commenced in 2022, with the aim of reaching an agreement by April 1, 2024.
On January 25, 2024, the UK formally notified Canada that it had made a decision to pause the Free Trade Agreement negotiations.[1] Meanwhile, the Canada-UK TCA remains in force.
For additional information on the Canada-UK TCA, please see the following bulletins:
- 2021: New Year, New Trade Agreements and New Procurement Thresholds
- Trade Update: Canada-UK Trade Talks Enter New Phase
- A Work in Progress: Updates regarding the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement
- Saved by the Bell: The Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement
UK Concludes Negotiations to Join the CPTPP
On July 16, 2023, the UK signed the Protocol of Accession to become the 12th member of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). It is expected that the agreement will enter into force in the second half of 2024, once the UK and CPTPP parties have completed their domestic ratification processes.[2]
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of Ryley Alp, Articling Student.
[1] U.K. pauses trade talks with Canada, claims ‘progress is not being made’ (globalnews.ca); U.K. walks away from trade talks with Canada (cbc.ca).
[2] Decision by the Commission of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership regarding the Accession of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the CPTPP (international.gc.ca); The UK and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) (www.gov.uk).
