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TPD > FTAA > Canada Proposals 2000 > Positions
 
 


Canada's Proposals for the FTAA Agreement 
FTAA Negotiating Groups - Canadian Written Submissions 

 

October 2000

Methods and Modalities for Tariff Negotiations


  1. BASE RATE

    MFN applied tariff or WTO bound tariff, whichever is lower on the date of implementation of the FTAA.
     
  2. REFERENCE PERIOD

    ""For the purpose of having a common information base on trade flows among the countries of the hemisphere, a two or three year period (e.g. 1999/2000/2001) reflecting trade data available when substantive negotiations commence. 
     
  3. TARIFF NOMENCLATURE

    The 1996 Harmonized System shall be used as a base for tariff negotiations and shall be updated, as appropriate, to reflect subsequent changes such as those to be implemented in 2002 to the Harmonized System. Concessions negotiated beyond the 6-digit level may be based on individual national schedules or such other product descriptions as may be agreed. 
  4. TIMETABLE AND PACE OF TARIFF ELIMINATION

    The total elimination of tariffs for substantially all intra-hemisphere trade shall be completed no later than 10 years after the date of implementation of the FTAA. There shall be provisions to allow for the elimination of tariffs for specific products immediately upon implementation of the FTAA as well as at agreed times within the 10 year period (e.g. 5 years).
  5. TYPE OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS

    The results of the negotiations shall allow for the calculation and establishment of the tariff rate that would be applied in each year of the tariff elimination schedule for each tariff position. 
     
  6. METHODS FOR DETERMINING CONCESSIONS

    The schedules submitted for each country shall be based on a formula approach, a request/offer approach or a combination of both, and shall be subject to negotiation plurilaterally and bilaterally. The concessions agreed shall be extended to all FTAA countries (Regional MFN principle).

Source: Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade