Rising protectionism - why TTIP and CETA are important

“We are very concerned about the wave of protectionism that seems to be spreading to Europe. We have to see a stronger commitment from our politicians that they are willing to defend our economic interests in the world”, Markus J. Beyrer said at the press breakfast BusinessEurope organised on 21 September. Promoting the EU’s interests means opening new markets and creating new trade and investment opportunities for EU companies, especially SMEs. The EU has to be able to conclude important deals like TTIP or CETA but it also needs to implement its trade agreements in a shorter period. To raise awareness on CETA, the most ambitious and forward-looking agreement concluded by the EU so far, BusinessEurope published a brochure that includes sectorial views on expected benefits. CETA is not only important for EU-Canada relations but for the EU trade policy altogether.