Thank you for that question.
Having worked in Canadian trade policy for over 25 years, I think I can say that the objective of diversifying export markets has always been key to Canada. It has been a struggle, but it has always been a key objective. The government now has in place a comprehensive global commerce strategy to try to pursue that objective more effectively.
Exploratory talks began in 2002, but the negotiations with Peru did not begin formally until July 2007. At that point there was already an urgency to this work, not only to provide new opportunities for our businesses but to counteract the risks of losing the business we have, because of the U.S.-Peru free trade agreement that came into effect.