Calling all exporters or those with potential export interests

The Government of Canada is currently in free-trade negotiations with Mercosur. Mercosur is a free-trade area, founded in 1991, that is comprised of Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. Expanding and diversifying trade with fast-growing and large markets, like Mercosur, is part of Canada’s progressive trade strategy.

The fifth round of the Canada/ Mercosur negotiations will take place in Ottawa from March 21 – 29, 2019. Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Department of Finance engaged AIA Canada in discussion to obtain information from stakeholders in the aftermarket who are exporters or those with potential export interests. The information will be used to support negotiations related to auto parts, with a particular focus on tariffs and rules of origin.

The contribution of information by industry supports government to negotiate industry’s best interest. Without it, they have little knowledge of industry’s needs and interests. Therefore, we highly encourage applicable members to submit responses to as many of the questions below.

You can send your responses directly to GAC or to AIA Canada who will submit them to GAC.

You can choose to submit responses confidentially by leaving out any identifying information in your responses or submit your responses through AIA Canada.

Responses need to be submitted to GAC or AIA Canada by Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

1. Do you currently export any automotive goods manufactured in Canada to a Mercosur country (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay)? Can you provide a description of these goods, including their Harmonized System codes if you know them?
2. If you do not currently export Canadian automotive goods to Mercosur, would you see an opportunity to export if your goods could enter Mercosur free of tariffs? Can you provide a description of the goods you have an interest in exporting, including their Harmonized System codes if you know them?
3. Can you elaborate on which of the goods you have described are for the after-market vs parts for vehicle production?
4. Are your after-market goods OEM-branded or non-OEM-branded? Are any of the goods you have described remanufactured?
5. Can you identify any non-tariff barriers (i.e. customs issues such delays at the border, difficulty clearing goods, etc) you have faced when exporting your goods to Mercosur countries? Please describe.
6. Do you have any defensive interests in these negotiations? Are there goods manufactured in Mercosur that could potentially compete with the goods you make in Canada?

To submit responses to GAC: David.Vlasblom@international.gc.ca

To submit responses to AIA Canada: erin.chreptyk@aiacanada.com