The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was the broadest trade negotiation ever undertaken by Canada covering a significant range of issues that include tariffs, non-tariff barriers, services and investments, financial services, government procurement, and much more.

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Background

The European Union (EU) is one of the largest economies in the world and Canada’s second-largest trading partner. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) presents Canadian businesses with preferential access to and excellent opportunities for growth in the EU. September 21, 2023 marked the sixth anniversary of CETA’s provisional application. The Agreement will come into full effect when all EU Member States have completed the ratification process. Until then provisional application of CETA will continue and remain accessible to Canadian and EU business alike.

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As the fifth top-exporting nation globally, Canada can benefit significantly from the implementation of CETA. CAFTA supports the ratification and implementation of CETA.  Through CETA, Canada’s farmers and food processors stand to benefit from increased market access to one of the world’s few billion-dollar export markets.

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Trade in goods: CETA eliminates tariffs and reduces barriers for virtually all sectors and aspects of Canada-EU trade. Prior to this agreement, only 25% of EU tariff lines on Canadian goods were duty-free. With CETA, 98% of EU tariff lines are now duty-free for Canadian goods.

 

Regulatory cooperation and conformity assessment: CETA is intended to help avoid unnecessary or discriminatory regulatory requirements. Canadian and EU regulators are collaborating to create regulatory measures that make it easier for Canadians to do business in the EU.

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After 7 years of provisional implementation, significant non-tariff barriers remain in place that severely restrict or threaten to jeopardize the market access CETA promised the agri-food and agricultural sector.

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