By Bruce Cochrane.
Canada's Agriculture Minister says all eyes are on the United Sates as participants in the Trans-Pacific Partnership consider ratification of the agreement.
The mutual importance of trading relationships was the focus of an agricultural trade mission that took Canada's Minister of Agriculture to Japan and South Korea.
Lawrence MacAulay told reporters yesterday the Trans-Pacific Partnership was a key topic of discussion.
Lawrence MacAulay-Canada-Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food:
At the G-7 Japan was certainly committed to the TPP and it's fair to say they were keen to push the TPP and the ratification of the TPP and I think every country seems to be in support of the TPP.
Of course I had a bilateral with the United States too and they are also very supportive.
I explained our process, which we need to go through and they have processes too.
I told them of the consultation process with the system of government we have and they understood.
Our evaluation in the country will not change.
What we will be doing, as you know, is continuing to consult and then it will come on the floor of the House of Commons and then it will be voted upon.
That is the process that we have.
That's why, in our own country, I and the minister of trade and other government people have indicated to the sectors, whether you will support or oppose it's important to make your feelings heard and that's really what I explained here too.
MacAulay acknowledges all eyes are on the United States and what will take place there.
He says it's generally said, if the United States stepped out of the deal, it would have a major effect on ratification with all of the other countries.
Source: Farmscape