APMA Comments On Current Trans Pacific Partnership Negotiations

Current reports indicating that some member-countries are seeking to obtain lower country-of-origin thresholds that would advantage low cost jurisdictions outside the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) are of concern to Canadian suppliers. Canada is a globally relevant, high value-added automotive manufacturing jurisdiction and home to many of the world’s leading OEM suppliers. The Canadian supplier sector has maintained a very competitive position vis-à-vis our NAFTA partners and demonstrated a high comparative resilience throughout the global recession and recovery.

The federal government has enjoyed the strong support of the automotive supplier sector throughout the various rounds of TPP negotiation. We fully support the government’s defense of the sector’s hard fought gains and continue to applaud its effort to reject country-of-origin thresholds that unduly risk our future prospects in a very globally competitive market. The continued prosperity of 85,000 Canadian employees depends on our ability to get access to important markets in Asia while continuing to protect our comparative market position in North America.

APMA is Canada’s national association representing OEM producers of parts, equipment, tools, supplies and services for the worldwide automotive industry.