I ask that, Ambassador, because in your opening remarks, you mentioned that a free trade agreement with Ecuador was “more than a trade deal”. It would help bring about stability, and stability would bring about economic growth. However, if you look back at the history of Ecuador, in 2019, when the government at the time reduced fuel subsidies, there were riots in the streets. Again, the government in Ecuador declared a state of emergency on January 8, 2024, and a nationwide state of internal armed conflict on January 9, 2024.
Seeing the instability raised by such issues as riots for fuel subsidies, do you think it would be wise for the Canadian government to propose adding a carbon tax to a trade agreement with a country that has stability issues right now? If anything, Ecuador is looking to reach agreements to bring about stability.
I'll go to Mr. Foster first.