Talks will formally begin next week, International Trade Minister Mary Ng and Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan announced in Ottawa on Thursday. The treaty will replace an interim agreement that took effect in April 2021, after Brexit removed the U.K. from Canada’s existing arrangement with Europe. (The Logic)

Talking point: Trevelyan called for “ambitious and comprehensive digital provisions” in the deal, including rolling out online systems for trade paperwork. In response to a question from The Logic, she cited as a model the U.K.’s deal with Singapore, signed last month, which limits restrictions on cross-border data flows and promotes cybersecurity cooperation; Canada acceded to similar terms in the USMCA, and is obliged to offer them to other trading partners.  Ottawa’s own objectives include terms that would enable more science, technology and innovation cooperation and investment. Ng insisted on Thursday that the two sides “will endeavour to complete negotiations in two years.”