Together， let us dedicate ourselves to making this new round of negotiations a stunning success. Through our enthusiastic support for international cooperation， let all our nations repudiate the message of terrorism and strive together for greater underst
In my experience， we have nothing to fear from public scrutiny. On the contrary， the decision earlier this year to release our draft FTAA negotiating texts has served to de-mystify these trade discussions and remove a major criticism - i.e.， secrecy —— that NGOs have scored with in the past. It also removed the ability of anti-trade critics to fear-monger about what might be in the texts.
Transparency makes our job easier， not harder. And transparency helps strengthen public support for trade liberalization， not weaken it.
Canada's Objectives for the Round
But what does Canada want from the new round？
First， like almost all other members of the WTO - whether developed or developing economies - Canada seeks meaningful reform in trade in agricultural products. Agriculture must be brought more fully into the multilateral trading rules and trade-distorting subsidies must be reduced - dramatically reduced， in Canada's view - markets must be further opened. This would benefit all Members - developing countries would have access to new markets in a sector in which they can be competitive， and developed countries would reduce public expenditures and benefit consumers through increased choice and lower prices.
Canada's second interest is fostering innovation and the new economy. Trade is no longer just about the movement of hard goods. It is increasingly in services， in data streams， in capital flows and in intellectual property. Much work remains to be done to adapt the rules to trade of the future …… work on GATS rules and market access commitments， work on investment rules， work on clarifying the application of the rules on electronic commerce， or work on the effective use of new technologies to reduce the cost of trade， for example.
Of course Canada has some well known reservations regarding these new issues. Like all Members of the WTO， Canada will vigorously protect its right to deliver public services and to regulate in the public interest. We will take care never to fetter our ability to promote and preserve cultural diversity and to maintain the ability to establish programs and policies to foster a diversity of cultural expression. We will not compromise our health care or education systems. But we will support the development of rules， and we will maintain our commitment to free trade， in balance with our social policy objectives.
Canada supports negotiations to improve transparency in government procurement. We look forward to developing guidelines for trade facilitation and for model competition law. We support the development of modest rules on foreign investment - provided there is sufficient support from developing economies， who should be the principal beneficiaries of investment protections. And， of course， we support further reductions in tariffs on goods - still the core business of the WTO.
China and the WTO
And， of course， at the next Ministerial Meeting we will be discussing the anticipated accession of China to the WTO. China has embraced the market economy and the world marketplace. Economic Liberalization has been the parent of China's developing prosperity. China's recent economic development has been unprecedented in scope and complexity in this past century. Moreover， China's leadership has now taken the logical and ultimately highly rewarding next step. I'd like to say how pleased I am that China will finally become a member of the WTO. It is good to see such an important economic player taking this momentous step into the global economy. On behalf of Canada， let me say that we look forward to working with China to ensure that the transition period goes smoothly.
APEC
I have， however， every confidence that China will approach this task with the same enthusiasm it has shown in hosting this APEC meeting. Already， China， with the other APEC economies have been working hard to facilitate greater trade in the Asia-Pacific region. From biotechnology， energy and e-commerce， to the promotion of young entrepreneurs - APEC is the forum where Asia-Pacific economies can work to build consensus for trade liberalization initiatives， including the launch of a new WTO round. Which is why， as the businesses that actively participate in globalization， you are here today.
Conclusion
Together， let us dedicate ourselves to making this new round of negotiations a stunning success. Through our enthusiastic support for international cooperation， let all our nations repudiate the message of terrorism and strive together for greater understanding， strong international relationships， mutual economic benefits and peace.
These are all values that flow from trade between peoples. And they are all values that we must work to put in place around the world， for the good of all our peoples.
Thank you very much.
