John Baron MP: The Twelve Days of the European Union – 7

7 – Seven years (and counting) to agree EU trade deal with Canada

As we approach the final furlong to the EU referendum, and with the necessary apologies to the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’, John Baron MP is sharing his ‘Twelve Days of the European Union’, setting out why we should vote to leave on 23rd June. Further daily instalments to follow.

The EU has been negotiating a trade deal with Canada for seven years – talks began in May 2009 for the Comprehensive Trade and Economic Settlement, and in 2016 final approval for the trade deal has still not been reached. As a member of the EU, the UK is unable to conclude its own trade deals, but would gain this ability if we were to leave.

John said,

“The EU has a terrible record at negotiating trade deals because it has to accommodate a myriad of special interests from 28 members – talks with the US and Canada have been ongoing for years, and India has largely given up on trying to reach an agreement.”

“Only by leaving the EU and by taking our seat at the World Trade Organisation will Britain be able to strike its own trade deals with the faster-growing economies outside the EU – just as Australia has recently done with China, Japan and South Korea.”

Quote of the Day

‘When it becomes serious you have to lie.’
(Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, 2014-)