Dismissed as hot air by many CETA critics, given its ‘interpretative’ nature – and because it does not alter the agreement – the ‘declaration’ the EU and Canada are currently drafting to allay concerns of trade critics in the EU and increase the chances that the trade agreement with Canada is approved …
Canada and CETA
In brief: One more week to CETA approval
The EU’s member states will decide next week (18 October 2016) whether to endorse a groundbreaking trade agreement with Canada. The deal has to be endorsed by all member states, then ratified by the EU Parliament and the 28 national legislatures. Next week the Council needs to give the green light …
CETA: draft declaration hints at “effectively enforceable” labour and environment provisions in early revision
The German Social-Democrats were promised a declaration by trade commissioner Malmström and trade minister Freeland ahead of a coming Council meeting that aims to give the green light to the signature and ratification of CETA later this month. They are getting it. And it does not quite satisfy the demands made by Bernd …
Next steps after Bratislava trade ministers meeting
Bratislava trade meeting: no major decision expected on dumping and China MES
The key priority of trade ministers gathering at Bratislava on Friday (23 September) will be to garner sufficient support from member states to authorise the signature of CETA next month at a bilateral EU-Canada summit.
Top EU farm group calls for conclusion of CETA, TTIP, EU Japan FTA
The EU’s biggest farm group Copa Cogeca is getting nervous about the prospects of key proposed EU trade agreements: CETA, TTIP and the EU-Japan FTA. “We need to find more new export outlets so that we are not totally dependent on the Chinese market”, Martin Merrild, the president of Copa …
Photo of the day
Sign left by the roadside by anti trade agreement demonstrators in Brussels on 20 September 2016. Photo taken on Avenue de la Loi, Brussels (21/09/2016).
CETA: Business accuses Commission of not protecting treaties ahead of rocky member state endorsement process
On Thursday and Friday (22 & 23 September), EU trade ministers are set to decide whether to endorse CETA, and on the next steps for its ratification. Business is highly nervous about the prospects the Canadian trade deal awaiting signature and ratification. It is also highly dissatisfied about the Commission’s decision to declare it …
German Social Democrats greenlight CETA – ask for future revisions
Germany’s social-democratic party has endorsed the EU Canadian trade agreement CETA at a party convention on Monday (19 September). This move increases the chances that the treaty will be ratified by Germany, but does not give Brussels and Ottawa a blank cheque. The approval came after SPD …
Malmström and Freeland ready to offer further clarifications on CETA
Canada and the Commission are to offer further clarifications on CETA ahead of a meeting of member states on the EU-Canadian trade deal. The German social democrats – the SPD – received only part of what they asked for. After Germany’s Sigmar Gabriel, the country’s vice chancellor went to Canada on Thursday …
