‘Sensitive’ Round of Canada-EU Trade Talks Kick Off

(Toronto Sun – Stefania Moretti, QMI Agency)

Canada and European Union trade officials met in Ottawa Monday to kick off the fifth and perhaps toughest round of negotiations to date on a free trade accord that could give a $12 billion annual boost to the economy.

Since the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was first outlined in May 2009, progress has been relatively easy and has included some of the more obvious concessions such as reduced duties between Canada and the EU.

“As this round begins, we’re coming face to face with some of the tougher questions,” International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said. “I thought that as we entered this crucial phase, it was important to be here personally, to underscore Canada’s commitment to these negotiations.” Read more here.

CETA and Government Procurement: What's In It for Canadians? – July 23, Toronto

I.E.Canada in partnership with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (FAITC) and Bennett Jones LLP invite you to attend a roundtable discussion to hear the latest developments in the CETA negotiations following the current round of talks in July 2010.

Government Procurement is one of the remaining principle requirements the European Union is seeking in the Canada-EU Free Trade Agreement. Worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually, government procurement markets are an important aspect of international trade.

What are the implications for Canadian companies of opening Canada’s government procurement markets to European suppliers and what are the prospects of expanding access to European procurement markets for Canadian exporters? Come and join I.E.Canada and other industry stakeholders in a roundtable discussion regarding government procurement negotiations.

When: Friday, July 23, 2010
Where: Bennett Jones LLP, Suite 3400, 1 First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario
Time: 12:00-12:20 p.m. – Registration and Lunch
12:20-2:00 p.m. – Program

This is a complimentary invitation for interested parties with limited seating. Please click here to register. If you are unable to attend in person but would like to participate via teleconference, please contact Amesika Baëta, Committee Director at abaeta@iecanada.com.

Why Parma Ham Stands In Way Of Trade Talks

(Michael Geist — Toronto Star)

Canada is currently negotiating two major international trade agreements whose success may ultimately depend on the level of protection provided to Parma ham. While it may seem hard to believe, the Canada – European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) are both facing increasing opposition based on European demands to expand protection for “geographical indications.”

Geographical indications (GI) are signs used on goods - frequently food, wine, or spirits - that have a specific geographical origin and are said to possess qualities, reputation or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that place of origin.

Given the quality associated with the product, proponents of GI protection argue that it is needed to avoid consumer confusion as well as to protect legitimate producers.

Europe has the most extensive geographical indication protections in the world. These include Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), which covers agricultural products produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognized know-how; Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), which covers agricultural products linked to the geographical area; and Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG), which highlights traditional character, either in the composition or means of production.

The net effect of the European system is that hundreds of items enjoy special legal protection. In fact, the system is so extensive that the Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters have expressed concern that CETA could lead to new restrictions on the use of words such as “pizza” or “feta.” Read more here.

When EU Talks Trade, It Receives More Than It Gives - Canada Must Be Wary During CETA Negotiations

(Edmonton Journal, Peter Clark)

Canadian and EU negotiators were meeting again last week in Brussels for the fourth round of negotiations on the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan is also wrapping up a European tour to promote Canada-EU relations to “highlight Canada's competitive advantages to European partners.”

Will the CETA negotiations be deeper and broader than NAFTA? CETA is Canada's biggest bilateral initiative since NAFTA. But how much exuberance is warranted?

The reality is that Canada wants CETA more than Europe needs it. Europe recognizes this and will use its leverage to extract a high price. Canada must ensure the selling of this deal is more than negotiator's “puffing” and that Canadians will get what they are paying for.

Concluding CETA is important -- particularly to multinationals already inside the EU regulatory system through investments or partnering. Read more here.

EU Demands in Free Trade Talks Would Retool Our Copyright Laws

(Michael Geist — Toronto Star)

Earlier this year, Canada and the European Union announced plans to negotiate a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), possibly the biggest Canadian trade negotiations since NAFTA. The first round of talks took place in Ottawa in October, yet the treaty has generated practically no public scrutiny.

That may change following the leak last week of the European Union's proposed intellectual property chapter.

Simply put, the EU demands target the entire Canadian economy. They include increased patent protection for pharmaceutical companies, heightened support for famous trademarks and new rules for industrial designs. Read more here.