The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade on 27 January 2026 adopted a draft opinion outlining deepening cooperation between the EU and Canada, reflecting ongoing economic ties and shared geopolitical interests.
The text, prepared by Spanish Socialist & Democrat MEP Javier Moreno Sánchez (S&D/ESP), was forwarded to the Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs as part of a broader process to shape the EU’s position on relations with one of its largest transatlantic partners.
The rapporteur has repeatedly highlighted the importance of strengthening the EU‑Canada partnership, pointing to CETA — the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement provisionally applied since September 2017 — as the foundation of economic cooperation between the two sides. While CETA has boosted trade in goods and services and helped foster stronger economic links, the draft opinion identifies areas where cooperation can be expanded and modernised.
More than a trade agreement
In a past statement about the CETA implementation report, Javier Moreno Sánchez emphasised that the agreement was “so much more than a trade agreement, strengthening our political ties, and promoting gender equality and climate ambitions,” and underlined that further benefits for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and other sectors should be realised.
The draft opinion notes that bilateral trade between the EU and Canada has risen significantly since CETA’s provisional application, with studies estimating substantial increases in both trade volume and economic output for both partners over the past nine years. Independent evaluations show that trade in goods and services has contributed positively to GDP in both economies, including notable gains for SMEs, although precise figures vary by source and methodology.
Ahead of the vote on the draft opinion, amendments were tabled covering priorities such as strengthening trade and investment ties, digital trade, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, sustainability, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, inclusion of Indigenous peoples, and the ratification of CETA by remaining member states.
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By 2027 at the latest
The final text also addressed the status of CETA’s ratification. It urges the EU member states that have not yet fully ratified the agreement to do so ahead of the ten-year anniversary of its provisional application in 2027, emphasising that unanimous ratification would unlock the full agreement, including investor protections. This reflects broader concerns that, despite strong trade growth and positive evaluations, CETA has not yet been fully applied across the EU because some countries still need to complete their domestic procedures.
The final roll-call vote for the draft opinion recorded 26 votes in favour, 11 against, and 5 abstentions.
Next steps
The text adopted by INTA now goes to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, where it will help inform the Parliament’s overall recommendation to EU institutions. Members of the Parliament and industry observers will watch closely to see how the final opinion reflects Parliament’s priorities on trade, technology, sustainability, and strategic cooperation between the EU and Canada.
