You said the Canadian exporters will pay. Isn't that the point, Mr. Chair? I think that's a very valid point.
We could have done this before, but we had such significant opposition in the last Parliament, which is not your issue, that we were not able to do it. We've disadvantaged our farmers. We've disadvantaged our manufacturers. We've disadvantaged every exporter who exports from Canada to Panama.
What's clear about this free trade agreement is that it takes immediately drops tariffs off almost 90% of the exchange of all goods that we trade. I think that makes a big statement. It's a great opportunity for us, particularly as we try to compete against the United States in Panama. With Panama being that great gateway to the southern hemisphere and to Central America, I think this is critical.
I need to ask you a question. I was looking at our statistics. In 2011, I think bilateral trade between Canada and Panama wasn't the biggest number. It was some $235 million, split almost equally, but it was not a large amount.
In your opinion, Mr. Ambassador, why do you think this free trade deal is so important when, of the agreements we have with other countries, it doesn't necessarily represent the biggest number? Do you have an opinion on that?