Minister Ng advances WTO priorities with G7 partners at Trade Minister’s Meeting

February 7, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, participated in this year’s first meeting of G7 Trade Ministers. Hosted by Italy, the virtual meeting included the participation of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO.

Minister Ng welcomed Italy’s G7 presidency and proposed agenda for 2024, and conveyed Canada’s commitment to work closely with its G7 partners to advance shared trade priorities to benefit businesses and workers, strengthen the rules-based international trade system and support the resilience of global supply chains.

Minister Ng and her G7 partners discussed solutions for moving forward on key WTO reform priorities at the upcoming 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13), scheduled for February 26 to 29, 2024. 

The minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to working with G7 partners in support of the ratification of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, which curbs harmful subsidies that contribute to the depletion of global fisheries resources.

Minister Ng emphasized the importance of ensuring stable, predictable rules-based trade and reiterated Canada’s support for a fully functioning WTO dispute settlement system that is accessible to all by the end of 2024. This will help ensure that businesses from countries of all sizes can export, with increased confidence that international rules will be respected.

Minister Ng and her G7 counterparts endorsed a joint statement on their commitment to advancing initiatives that strengthen the international trade system and make the global economy more robust, inclusive, and beneficial for everyone.