Engagement with Russia

The federal government has made a number of pronouncements related to trade and diplomatic engagement with Russia where some AMC members are doing or hope to do business. At the end of the day, the federal government is committed to putting pressure on Putin but not isolating itself from the international community's actions. We have been working with the federal government on this and appreciate specific examples you can provide regarding business challenges related to trade with Russia. Please send them to AMC's president, Leah Olson at leah@a-m-c.ca

The federal minister of foreign affairs, Honourable Stephane Dion, recently announced additional sanctions to ten entities and two individuals in addition to freezing the assets of others. The government's stated goal is to hold the Putin government to account and demonstrate an explicit condemnation of Russia’s unlawful annexation of Crimea. It is squarely a pressure tactic targeted at the Putin government that we are being pulled into.

At the same time, however, the government has announced its intention to engage with Russia at the diplomatic level. It is the view of the government that engaging with Russia on the one hand and demonstrating a firm resolve on sanctions on the other strengthens Canada's ability to hold them to account. The government has stated its intention to remain at the diplomatic table with a view to getting its desired outcomes.

The Canadian view was reinforced by the U. S. (Kerry) recently: "... President Obama believes, and I believe, that engagement is important. You don't lose anything by asking the right questions, having the right conversation and exploring what the possibilities might be."

We will provide updates to members as things evolve.

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The Agricultural Manufacturers of Canada (AMC) is a national, member-driven organization dedicated to sustaining a strong and highly respected Canadian agricultural equipment manufacturing industry.

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