Canada and the European Union have been working closely in order to create a free trade deal of which eliminates the majority of tariffs, and will make it easier to work abroad. Such agreement is known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). However, Germany has proposed that the deal is flawed, and that they are reluctant to agree to its terms. CETA states that companies are allowed to compete for government work, and that they are able to sue governments. Germany believes that this will give private companies too much power, and will pressure governments to ignore labour laws or the environment. However, the purpose of the agreement is to better the work of the government and of private companies altogether. In my opinion, allowing companies the opportunity to compete for government work is promoting a free market approach, and thus benefiting the economy of Canada and the EU. By approving this free trade agreement, it will provide basis to strengthen relationships between countries, corporations, and governments. It is also said to provide 80,000 new jobs, and increase trade by $37 billion a year. As a strong supporter of free trade, I can not justify the reasoning behind Germany’s reluctance to agree with the terms of CETA.

Sources:

Curry, Bill. “Canada, EU Release Text of Trade Deal; Play Down Germany Objections.” The Globe And Mail. N.p., 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-eu-release-text-of-trade-deal-and-play-down-german-objections/article20807015/>.

Roberts, Hal. “Canada, Europe Sign Long Awaited Free Trade Deal.” Toronto Sun. N.p., 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. <http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/26/canada-europe-sign-free-trade-deal>.