JAMA Canada says it wholeheartedly supports the launch of formal negotiations between the Government of Canada and the Government of Japan towards a comprehensive economic partnership agreement announced recently in Tokyo.
“This announcement, which follows the release of the Joint Study a few weeks ago, is a very welcome development for our members in Canada, particularly as the Canadian Government pursues free trade negotiations with South Korea and the European Union, both significant auto producing and exporting jurisdictions,” said David Worts, Executive Director of JAMA Canada. “Moreover, we support a Canada-Japan EPA to deepen our bilateral commercial relations, and to create collaborative opportunities between Canadian and Japanese business in Asia and around the world,” added Mr. Worts.
For many years, JAMA Canada has been a strong advocate of liberalized trade and open borders, particularly as the auto industry in Canada continues to depend heavily on trade along with local and global supply chains.
Since 1993, Canada has been a net exporter of Japanese brand vehicles. Last year, exports of vehicles made in Canada were more than triple the number of imports from Japan. And while two out of every three Japanese vehicles sold in Canada are now made in North America, there is still a need to import vehicles from Japan to meet the varied transportation needs of Canadian consumers.
Finally, a bilateral trade agreement with Japan would help to maintain and grow employment, says the JAMA, adding that open trade would sustain a positive environment for more than 67,000 Canadians employed directly or indirectly in the manufacture, export, import, distribution, sale or service of Japanese brand vehicles in Canada.
JAMA Canada is a non-profit trade association with eight members representing subsidiaries of Japanese automakers in Canada, and was established in 1984 to promote greater understanding in trade and economic matters between Canada and Japan.
