EU Parliament backs landmark Canada trade deal

STRASBOURG, France – The European Parliament backed a contested EU-Canada free trade deal on Wednesday, February 15, facing down protests by activists and Donald Trump-inspired calls for protectionism.

MEPs hailed the deal as a rare victory for an imperiled global trade system that is under threat from US President Trump who opposes far-reaching trade deals.

The accord, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is tipped as Europe’s most modern ever and a possible model for relations with Britain after its leaves the EU.

EU states and Canada formally signed the deal in October after 7 years of tough talks, overcoming last-minute resistance from a small Belgian region that blocked its national government from approving the accord.

But it needed the backing of MEPs meeting in Strasbourg, France, who solidly approved the pact with 408 votes in favor, 254 against and 33 abstentions. 

“This is a watershed moment – EU trade policy will never be the same again,” said senior Scottish MEP David Martin, whose Socialists and Democrats group split on the issue.

Approval by the parliament allows the provisional implementation of the CETA as early as next month. It must then be approved by national parliaments.

Protesters attempted to disrupt the vote, with about 700 people marching outside the European Parliament to voice their opposition to the deal.

Anti-globalisation activists dressed in surgical masks dramatically blocked the entrance to the parliament building, before being dragged off by riot police.

“Saying yes to CETA is a trampling of the people,” said a banner.

Following the approval by parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will address MEPs in person on Thursday.

“Looking forward to it,” Trudeau tweeted on Wednesday, adding in a statement that the deal “prepares the ground for stronger ties with the EU, which will result in greater possibilities for the middle classes on both sides of the Atlantic.”

‘Blow to EU’

Opponents to CETA slam the deal as a “Trojan horse” to big business and a danger to health, democracy and the rule of law.

“The disconnect between MEPs and public concerns over living standards, public health and the environment is another blow to the EU,” said Greenpeace’s EU trade policy adviser Shira Stanton.

Some of the more controversial aspects, including a much-derided investor court system, still require ratification by EU member states, which could take years.

CETA will remove 99 percent of non-farm customs duties between the two sides, a big win for exporters on both sides of the Atlantic.

And unlike classic trade deals, CETA harmonizes regulations on matters such as health and the environment, a major concern for activists.

Some industries are left untouched. The CETA deal will not remove tariff barriers for public services, audiovisual and transport services and a few agricultural products, such as dairy, which is heavily subsidized in Canada.

A major flashpoint for opponents is the proposal to set up special courts to settle disputes between investors and national authorities that is central to the deal.

Opponents believe this provision hands too much power to multinationals that will use powerful lawyers to undermine national regulation.

“Multinationals will be able to attack governments in a privatized court system,” said France’s far-right presidential candidate and MEP Marine Le Pen, who voted against CETA.

But the deal’s EU negotiator, Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, said many of the concerns were “myths”.

“You have to remember too that 28 countries, 28 governments have signed this deal and said it is a good deal. Would the 28 really sign something that was so dangerous for their citizens?” she told Agence France-Presse in an interview.

The vote comes at a particularly sensitive time for global trade matters, with Britain poised to leave the European Union and new US president Trump rejecting an Asia-Pacific trade deal.

Trump is also widely expected to drop a similar proposed deal with the EU known as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or TTIP.

Trudeau met with Trump on Monday, February 13, in Washington.

Trump had vowed to put “America first” and rip up the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, but significantly toned down that rhetoric after meeting Trudeau. – Rappler.com