It’s a deal “win-win” said French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau on Thursday 11 on CETA, the free trade agreement between the European Union and Canada. The two men expressed confidence in the further application of this agreement known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Gabriel Attal has been traveling across Canada since Wednesday evening.
“Since it was signed, trade between our two countries has increased by more than a third”confirmed by Gabriel Attal speaking among others “a fair and balanced deal”. Canada will continue to do so “To demonstrate the positive impact on citizens of trade and responsible trade among friends and allies who share the same values”Justin Trudeau in detail. “If a country can’t or won’t have free trade with a progressive, open and responsible country like Canada, with which country would you want to have a free trade agreement?”solved.
Rejection by the French Senate against the background of the agricultural crisis
This trade agreement has yet to be ratified by ten European countriesentered into force provisionally at the European level September 21, 2017. Gold, the French Senate voted against it on March 21which threatens its ratification against the background of the agricultural crisis. In addition to agriculture, the agreement also includes a section on so-called Canadian minerals “review” for an energy transition such as uranium or lithium.
Trade between the European Union and Canada has taken a new direction since the war in Ukraine. CETA enabled Europe can more easily replace the Russian materials it has stopped importingCanadian products.
Cooperation against forest fires
Another important topic brought up by the French and Canadian prime ministers on Thursday: the issue of forest fires. Justin Trudeau announced the purchase of two Canadian bombers by France and the signing of a contract cooperate better in the face of fires. In 2023, France sent 350 firefighters to help Canada fight against the worst fire season in its historywhich devastated more than 15 million hectares.
In the area of climate, both countries have committed themselves “cooperate” on certain axes of Emmanuel Macron’s initiative, which aims to overhaul the global financial system to fight global warming and poverty. Announced in 2023, Canada has not ratified this “Paris Pact for People and Planet”.