CETA is more important now than it was 7 years ago, Beyrer says at EBS

At a European Business Summit panel discussion today on CETA Director General Markus J. Beyrer underlined that BUSINESSEUROPE actively supports the agreement and its rapid implementation. “We are convinced it is a very positive agreement for European business and a benchmark for future agreements”, he said. It must be judged on its own merits, which are quite remarkable in a number of areas. CETA has even more importance now than it had when negotiations started seven years ago, because now the EU debate around trade has assumed a new dimension that it didn’t use to have back then. “It is not only important for EU-Canada relations but for trade policy altogether. If CETA fails, a signal is sent to European companies that the EU is no longer able to deliver in one of its policies of key importance for business confidence and stimulus. A sign is also given to our trading partners that the EU is no longer promoting free trade and improved market access as a key priority and this might impact significantly our attractiveness as negotiating partner.  In the long run the consequences are not only economic, but also political”, Beyrer added. Photos