Canadian and European business communities call for progress on outstanding issues under CETA following the Joint Committee meeting

Re: Canadian and European business communities call for progress on outstanding issues under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) following the Joint Committee meeting

Dear Minister Ng and Executive Vice President Dombrovskis:

We write to urge progress on key outstanding issues of importance to the Canada-EU trade and investment relationship following the Joint Committee meeting on March 25.

CETA is one of the most progressive trade agreements ever negotiated by both parties responding to the challenges and concerns of the 21st century and opening many opportunities for Canadian and European businesses. It addresses all aspects of the bilateral trading relationship and will further position Canada and the EU to collaborate on the pressing issues of our time, such as climate change, energy and migration.

Our organisations are pleased with many of the results that CETA has delivered to date. The agreement has strengthened economic growth and employment to the benefit of businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic and elevated the EU-Canada strategic partnership to a new level. Additionally, we are pleased to see the emphasis placed on implementing the climate, gender and SMEs recommendations adopted at the first CETA Joint Committee, and the endorsement of the CETA SME Action Plan for 2020-2021 following the Joint Committee meeting on March 25.

As global trade recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying rise in protectionism that we have seen over the past several years, the Canadian and European business communities, representing companies large and small, call for progress on issues of importance to the CanadaEU trade and investment relationship.

To achieve its full potential, CETA needs to live up to its billing as a ‘living agreement’ and show progress on the following still-to-be resolved issues:

• Fully implementing the conformity assessment protocol and enhancing regulatory cooperation in industrial sectors;
• Market access for agricultural and food products by reducing non-tariff barriers;
• The protection of GIs, as well as market access for wines and spirits;
• Transparency on temporary entry provisions
• Finalizing the Mutual Recognition Agreement on qualification of architects.

We remain keen to see the full application of CETA and urge the Commission to work closely with the remaining Member States for a speedy ratification of the agreement in their respective legislatures. Additionally, communication around the CETA governance structures can be enhanced. The private sector would welcome greater clarity on the roles and responsibilities of the various committees and decisionmaking bodies, and how they interact with each other, in order to strengthen private sector engagement.

Lastly, we hope that efforts can be strengthened to advance bilateral work on forward looking issues such as digital trade as well as trade and environment.

At a time when countries are putting up barriers, CETA is opening-up new trade and investment opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses across the EU and in Canada, while preserving the ability of policymakers to safeguard public health, safety and the environment.

Sincerely,