Canadian Prime Minister urges France to approve CETA during Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon visit
Prime Minister Mark Carney used his stop in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon to press France to ratify the Canada-EU trade pact CETA, which remains unapproved by ten EU members.
Mark Carney arrived in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on Sunday, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to the French islands off Newfoundland. In remarks to local officials, he urged the French government to complete ratification of CETA, the comprehensive economic and trade agreement signed in October 2016 and provisionally in force since 2017. Carney pointed out that ten EU members, France included, have still not approved the treaty, largely due to concerns raised by agricultural interest groups.
His trip capped a European tour that saw him meet EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who proposed granting Canada the status of the EU’s first associate member. He was also received by Emmanuel Macron, who reiterated the French character of the overseas territory amid recent regional pressures. The push for ratification aims to unlock deeper market access and solidify the Canada-EU partnership.
Why it matters
France's approval of CETA would expand trade between Canada and the EU, affecting farmers, businesses and consumers on both sides.
How this story developed
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