http://www.dominionpaper.ca/taxonomy/term/2103/0 en http://www.dominionpaper.ca/weblogs/geordie/2476 <p>Was reading the less-than-stellar analysis of Globe Opinion writer <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090203.wcosimp04/BNStory/specialComment/home">Jeffrey Simpson</a> the other day when I noticed this little gem:</p> <blockquote><p>France and Canada are on the same wavelength on issue after issue, including Afghanistan and trade (Canada and the European Union are entering serious talks about a free-trade agreement). They both opposed the invasion of Iraq.</p></blockquote> <p>Canada and EU free trade deal? I read a lot of news so I was wondering why I hadn't seen more of this before.</p> <p>A quick google search found a couple of news pieces <a href="http://blog.macleans.ca/2008/10/17/canada-eu-free-trade-heres-your-briefing-book-dont-leave-it-somewhere/">here</a>, <a href="http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/09/19/national-post-editorial-board-free-trade-with-europe-is-worth-some-concessions.aspx">here </a>and <a href="http://www.bilaterals.org/article.php3?id_article=11015">here</a> about the issue, but this could potentially be major.</p> <p>I'm no fan of free trade and think NAFTA should be abolished, but do believe in the benefits of fair trade as long as never-ending growth isn't part of the deal.</p> <p>Canada's trade has been almost entirely dependent on the US since colonization. Would a free trade agreement with the EU mean less dependence? Would Canadian standards plummet on certain issues? What would the impacts on social justice, the tar sands, mining and other issues be?</p> http://www.dominionpaper.ca/weblogs/geordie/2476#comments Canada EU European Union Free Trade trade agreements Canada Europe Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:55:38 +0000 Geordie 2476 at http://www.dominionpaper.ca