International trade is governed by a web of multilateral, regional, and bilateral agreements which are aimed at liberalizing global trade and commerce. The large volume and ever-changing nature of these rules have created a complex body of regulations, procedures, requirements, exceptions, exemptions, and conflicting interpretations – all of which have a critical application to a business’ bottom line. For firms involved in international business and/or investment, understanding how to leverage these rules is an essential element in determining your success. We put our expertise to work monitoring, analysing, and providing strategic advice on the wide range of international instruments including:
- Canada United States Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
- Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
- Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
- Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements (FIPA) & Bilateral Trade Agreements (BIT)
- Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), and
- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Instruments
Whether you are facing trade barriers that affect you products, unfair competitive practices, or unclear and non-transparent government measures, or simply want to know how the international rules apply in your case, our team of trade law professionals can help. The Woods, LaFortune LLP has over 60 years of collective experience with a wide range of trade instruments and an intimate understanding of how to effectively navigate the legal landscape to our clients’ benefit. Whether informally, through our extensive network of government and institutional contacts, or via available procedural tools, we can obtain maximum results for our clients. Our collective strong and distinguished resume of experience in international litigation sets us apart in that field.
Over the last three years, Woods, LaFortune LLP has played an ongoing role as one of the firms invited to participate in the Government of Canada’s consultative process with the private sector during the negotiations to update and replace the NAFTA. In addition to our advisory role on the CUSMA, we participate on Working Groups advising the Government on its ongoing trade negotiations and policy formation with a special focus on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Indigenous participation. We look forward to the challenge of ensuring that our clients are able navigated through the existing rules and to influence current and future negotiations.
If you have a question or face an international trade or investment challenge contact Gordon LaFortune at 1-613-424-3921, e-mail: lafortune@wl-tradelaw.com, or Michael Woods at 1-613-355-0382, email: woods@wl-tradelaw.com.
