Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, spoke with YAMAGIWA Daishiro, Japan's Minister in Charge of Economic Revitalization, whose portfolio includes the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Minister Ng opened the call by thanking Japan for its continued work in the CPTPP, including its role as chair of the United Kingdom Accession Working Group. She noted the importance of Japan's leadership in this process, given its precedent-setting nature for subsequent CPTPP accessions. She expressed her optimism in working with Japan on continued implementation the CPTPP and the expansion of its benefits through the accession of additional economies committed to the CPTPP's high-standard rules and ambitious market-access outcomes.
The ministers discussed the importance of CPTPP collaboration within their bilateral economic relationship and as a shared priority for wider rules-based trade in the Indo-Pacific region.
Minister Ng also took the opportunity to express Canada's firm condemnation of Russia's unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, and her unwavering support for Ukraine and its people. She thanked Japan for its response to the illegal invasion and noted their strong actions and collaboration.
Minister Ng concluded the call by mentioning her recent conversation with HAGIUDA Koichi, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry on the sidelines of APEC and her commitment to maintaining close ties between Canada and Japan.
