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The EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is a progressive trade agreement between the EU and Canada. It entered into force provisionally in 2017, meaning that most of the chapters of the agreement now apply. The parts which are not yet in force can be consulted here.
All national (and in some cases regional) parliaments in EU countries need to approve CETA before it can take full effect.
Key milestones on the road to an agreement:
- 2007: Launch of a joint study between the EU and Canada to examine the costs and benefits of pursuing a closer economic partnership.
- 2009: Official launch of the negotiations.
- 2013: Canada and EU announce an agreement in principle.
- 2014: Conclusion of the negotiations.
- 2016: The agreement is signed during the EU-Canada Summit.
- 2016: The European Council ratifies the provisional application of CETA.
- 2017: The European Parliament approves CETA.
- 21 September 2017: CETA enters into force provisionally.
- 2018: The first Joint Committee under CETA is held, in Montréal.
Currently, 17 EU Member States have completed their national ratification processes for CETA. 10 EU Member States still need to ratify CETA at national level: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland and Slovenia.
The benefits of CETA include the following:
- CETA eliminates duties on 99% of all tariff lines, of which 98% were scrapped when it it provisionally entered into force.
- CETA protects the EU’s geographical indications.
- CETA improves and secures EU companies’ access to the Canadian services market.
About the agreement
The full text of the agreement with chapter summaries in plain English.
The EU and Canada meet annually in bilateral summits and in the committees and dialogues set up by the agreements to review a range of issues relating to EU-Canada economic and trade relations.
Find out more about the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
What's CETA and what does it accomplish? The EU-Canada trade deal explained in plain English.
Information for businesses
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Latest news
The leaders of the European Union and Canada – Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa for the EU, with Prime Minister Mark Carney for Canada – agreed to deepen their cooperation and partnership at yesterday's 20th EU-Canada summit.
A statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen issued after a joint press conference with European Council President Antonio Costa and Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada.
Read the Joint Statement published after the 2025 summit between the European Union and Canada.