Canada’s “Missing” Trade With the European Union

In light of Canada’s trade negotiations with the European Union, this report examines Canada-EU trade through a lens more aligned with international business realities than are conventional trade measures and analyses. Canada-EU trade is about more than cross-border final goods exchange. Our estimates show that Canada and the EU trade primarily via sales by foreign affiliates; engage in substantial, fast-growing services trade in both directions; and have important value chain linkages. To capitalize on this wide range of activities and potential activities, Canada needs to take a broad policy approach to Canada-EU trade negotiations. This includes eliminating or reducing barriers to services trade, people movements, digital trade, trade in technologies, and investment. This would improve Canadian living standards and better position Canada in future trade talks.