Brussels removed talk of ratifying Canada trade deal in EU summit text: Wilkinson

Canadian Ambassador to the EU Jonathan Wilkinson testified before the Senate foreign affairs committee that the European Union removed language from a joint statement regarding the ratification of the Canada-EU trade deal. The initial statement included a line emphasizing the importance of member states ratifying the agreement, but this phrasing was altered due to concerns from some member states, Wilkinson said.

The final statement, released on Friday, stated that both parties remain committed to the effective implementation of the deal while respecting the ratification processes in member states. Further, Wilkinson expects more countries to ratify the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) soon, mainly due to advocacy by EU officials.

He highlighted at least four or five nations that will ratify within the next year, acknowledging that a few more will need more time, particularly due to electoral cycles. The nine countries yet to ratify the deal include Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, and Poland. The sticking points, he added, primarily revolve around investment-protection provisions and various national concerns.

Wilkinson also discussed potential impacts of political trends in Europe, expressing particular concern about rising "ultra-right" movements in France, while acknowledging France's unpredictability with President Marine Le Pen's popularity. Despite this, Wilkinson does not anticipate the U.S. midterms to alter Canada's approach to deeper integration with the EU, as he continues to engage with EU leaders to address and unblock challenges.