That will add an extra TT$35 to tickets for passengers flying to American destinations.
The clause is paft of a US-Colombia free trade deal, passed late last week, that removes the exemption from the tariff for travellers from the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico.
Those countries were exempt from the fee since 1997 under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Those countries were exempt from the fee since 1997 under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Canada's International Trade Minister Ed Fast is disappointed with the new measure. In a formal statement the minister said, “Raising taxes at the border just raises costs on consumers." He added that Canadian officials have raised concerns about the removal of this exemption at the highest level.
“We will continue to raise Canada’s concerns with US lawmaker,” Fast said.
Canada and the U.S. are supposed to be finalizing the details of the Beyond Borders deal, which officials say will improve trade and security at the same time.
The American ambassador to Ottawa has said the travel fees won't affect the relationship between the two countries.
“The elimination of the exemption was necessitated by the budget situation in my country. It is paid by American citizens and foreign nationals alike, just like Canadian citizens and non-Canadian citizens pay fees at Canadian airports,” David Jacobson said.
“We will continue to raise Canada’s concerns with US lawmaker,” Fast said.
Canada and the U.S. are supposed to be finalizing the details of the Beyond Borders deal, which officials say will improve trade and security at the same time.
The American ambassador to Ottawa has said the travel fees won't affect the relationship between the two countries.
“The elimination of the exemption was necessitated by the budget situation in my country. It is paid by American citizens and foreign nationals alike, just like Canadian citizens and non-Canadian citizens pay fees at Canadian airports,” David Jacobson said.
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