5 March 2026 13:26 UTC · European Commission · EU Commission Press Release · Source · Email X Link

European Commission says Šefčovič: CETA works; digital talks next

Key points

CETA remains central and delivers strong trade growth
EU and Canada to launch digital trade negotiations

TL;DR

Šefčovič says CETA increased trade in goods by 76% to over 81 billion euros and trade in services by 97% to nearly 51 billion euros since entry into force nine years ago.
Šefčovič says the EU and Canada will launch negotiations on a digital trade agreement; more than 40% of services trade is delivered digitally.
Šefčovič notes entry into force of the EU-Canada Mutual Recognition Agreement for architects and alignment with Canada on seeking serious WTO reform at the Cameroon ministerial.

Original text

European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Remarks by Commissioner Šefčovič at the press conference following the EU-Canada Joint Committee meeting Toronto, 5 March 2026 Thank you. It is a pleasure to be in Toronto – and thank you for the warm welcome. Being here is always personal for me. In 1993, as a young diplomat representing a newly independent Slovakia, my very first posting was in Canada. So, coming back is more than a trip – it is a reminder of how partnerships endure, deliver and grow. Today, together with Minister Sidhu, we co-chaired the EU-Canada Joint Committee overseeing the implementation of CETA. It was positive. It was productive. And it delivered tangible results. CETA remains at the very heart of our partnership. And let me put it plainly – CETA works. The proof is in the numbers. Since it entered into force nine years ago, trade in goods has jumped 76 percent – to over 81 billion euros. Trade in services has surged 97 percent – to nearly 51 billion euros. That is not incremental progress. That is momentum. And we very much appreciate this because we are living in an era of geoeconomics, where trade and industrial policies increasingly shape global competition. That reality framed part of our discussion today. My message was clear – we must preserve the privileged access we have granted each other under CETA. That predictability is a competitive advantage, worth protecting. At the same time, we are ready to take the EU-Canada partnership to the next level, notably by launching negotiations on a digital trade agreement. On this, key stakeholders are very supportive and enthusiastic. Already, more than 40 percent of our 51 billion euros in services trade is delivered digitally. And data flows do not power tech companies alone. No modern economy runs without trusted, secure data flows. If CETA was the foundation, a digital trade agreement is the next floor. Today, we also celebrate the entry into force of the EU-Canada Mutual Recognition Agreement for architects – the first EU services MRA of its kind. And it is no accident that Canada is our partner. Mutual recognition requires trust and confidence in each other's systems. And we intend to build on it, by exploring whether similar agreements in other sectors can follow. Looking ahead, the EU and Canada are also aligned in the run-up to the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon later this month. Small fixes are not enough. The global trading system needs serious reform. We need a reset – one that restores predictability, strengthens fairness and adds the flexibility today's economy demands. Let me stop here and before taking questions, once again express my appreciation for Canada's and Minister's hospitality. SPEECH/26/550

European Commission says Šefčovič: CETA works; digital talks next

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