Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I thank Jeff English and René Roy. I welcome them to the committee.
The Canadian agricultural producers and agri-food exporters, this small band of Canadians and small Canadian businesses, have made Canadian exports in that sector the fifth largest in the world. For our pork exports, I think we are third in the world, and for pulses, if I am not wrong, we are second in the world. Because so much of our GDP is dependant on international trade, and as 67.4% of the GDP comes from international trade, trade is fundamental for our prosperity, for our economy and businesses, and for all Canadians.
I want to ask both Mr. English and Mr. Roy about a couple of things that I want to get straight. I want you to confirm whether I am on the right path or not.
Number one is that the market in Ecuador is growing, obviously. Last year, in 2023, we had bilateral trade of $1.36 billion and investments of around $2.6 billion, which makes us the single-largest investor in Ecuador. Basic economics says that trade will always follow investment.
Though the investments are not in your fields of pulses or pork, there is still a good relationship between Canada and Ecuador. Whether the market is big or small, in my view we should always have a free trade agreement wherever possible, in whichever part of the world it is possible, because if we don't have a free trade agreement, our competitors for pork, pulses or any other exports possibly may enter into a free trade agreement with Ecuador and put us at a disadvantage. That is my number one contention.
Number two is that an agreement with Ecuador—as, Mr. Roy, you briefly mentioned—also could act as a springboard for the market in the entire region.
Those are the two points. I just want you to confirm whether you agree with me on these two things.
Mr. Roy, you can go first.
Mr. English, you can go next.