Importance

According to the Agri-Food Trade Policy Office Canada and the United States trade relations are governed by the World Trade Organization agreements, as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Both countries are each other's most import agri-food trading partner. In 2002, Canada’s agri-food exports to the United States totaled C$17.4 billion. Canada’s top export products to the U.S. in 2002 were slaughter cattle, fresh beef, fresh pork, frozen fries and biscuits. In 2002, Canada’s agri-food imports from the United States totaled C$13.2 billion. Canada’s top import products from the U.S. in 2002 were corn, food preparations, biscuits, crackers and pet food.

Cooperation with Canada

Canada and the United States agreed in 1998 to a Record of Understanding that established a high-level consultative forum that emphasizes early identification of problems and effective cooperation to resolve them. The Canada-U.S. Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA) was the forum created to facilitate discussion and cooperation on bilateral agriculture issues, including: agricultural trade and market access; sanitary and phytosanitary issues; and cooperation in areas of mutual interest in agriculture. The CCA is made up of officials from various Departments in both countries and meets twice a year.

Current Cooperation Topics with Canada