EU and Canada launch trade talks

Worth repeating (since I carry a Canadian passport)

EI’s consultant on international trade, David Robinson, says the negotiations are not primarily aimed at reducing tariffs --- which are already less than 3 per cent in the most traded sectors.

“When we speak about an economic partnership agreement between the EU and Canada, we’re not talking about a traditional free trade agreement where the focus is on cutting tariffs for trade in goods and services,” he explains. “What we’re really talking about is a second generation trade agreement where the aim is to harmonize or weaken regulatory measures that might affect trade, such as standards, qualification requirements and licensing procedures.”