French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Montreal, Canada, on September 26, 2024. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
MONTREAL, Canada — French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday during a visit to Canada that a Canada-EU free trade pact signed almost a decade ago was a “very good agreement” that will eventually be adopted.
“I am confident,” he said of the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement’s (CETA) eventual ratification in the EU and France.
Article continues after this advertisementThe pact stirred controversy six months ago after the French Senate rejected it. However, this vote has no consequences on the provisional implementation of CETA, “which is almost total.”
FEATURED STORIES BUSINESS National ID gives more Filipinos ‘face value BUSINESS BIZ BUZZ: Unwinding Gogoro … quietly BUSINESS Polvoron maker seeks P500 million capital for expansion“If someone is against CETA today, it is because they never want to make a trade agreement with anyone again because it represents the best possible standard,” explained the French president.
“The reality is the numbers show that it is a very good agreement.”
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Free trade talks with EU resume; $6.5-B hike in flow of goods seen
Article continues after this advertisementCETA, which notably removes customs duties on 98 percent of products traded between the European Union and Canada, is strongly criticized, particularly by French cattle ranchers.
Ten European states have yet to ratify this trade agreement, which came into force provisionally at the European level on September 21, 2017.
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