Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the progress in respect of other transatlantic trade agreements with the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11582/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU has successfully concluded a number of important trade agreements with trading partners and is in the process of negotiating or upgrading its agreements with many more. Free Trade Agreements are designed to create opportunities by opening new markets for goods and services thereby increasing export and investment opportunities.
In relation to the progress of transatlantic trade agreements, the EU–Canada Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) entered into force provisionally from the 21st September 2017. Irish companies may now take advantage of the all important provisions of CETA including the elimination of tariffs on almost all key exports, access to the Canadian procurement market, the easing of regulatory barriers and more transparent rules for market access. CETA presents new opportunities for Irish business and professionals to work and provide services in Canada.
Moreover, the EU has a comprehensive Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru which has been provisionally applied since the 1st March 2013 with Peru and 1st August 2013 with Colombia. The Protocol of Accession of Ecuador to the Trade Agreement was signed by the EU together with Ecuador, Colombia and Peru on the 11th November 2016 and has been provisionally applied since the 1st January 2017.
The EU and Mexico hope to reach political agreement early this year on the modernisation of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement to include regulatory cooperation, more trade in agriculture and food, common sanitary and phytosanitary standards and sustainable development. Ireland supports comparable trade conditions for investors and businesses across the Americas, making it easier for Irish businesses to trade in and enter these markets.
Currently, the EU negotiating a trade agreement with the four founding members of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) as part of a broader Association Agreement between the two regions.
On the 16th November 2017, the EU and Chile officially launched negotiations to modernise the existing EU-Chile Association Agreement including the trade pillar to address all areas of the trade and investment relationship between the EU and Chile.
The EU’s Free Trade Agreements have provided a key foundation on which to further build our strong economic and trading links in export markets and Ireland will continue to support the EU’s ambitious programme of negotiating new FTA’s with third countries. These Agreements, the Government’s Trade Strategy, ‘Ireland Connected: Trading and Investing in a Dynamic World’ and our extensive trade mission programme all support both the transatlantic and global market penetration and diversification objectives of our trade policy.
