Canada and EU Sign Major Trade Deal

International trade has come under frequent and heavy fire in the past months, particularly in the US presidential election, but also globally. Despite a handful of set-backs, Canada, the United States' closest trading partner, and the EU just signed a major trade deal, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Although this deal does not directly affect the United States, it is a major step forward for proponents of free trade in a world increasingly full of protectionist sentiment. Some seem to consider this a precursor for a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the United States and European Union, for which plans are already in the works. The likelihood of a measure like this being realized, however, seems increasingly slim as the Transpacific Partnership continues to languish. The optimist in me imagines that this new agreement may signal the triumph of free trade advocates over its detractors, but realistically I am a little more skeptical. I imagine much of the US's trade future will depend on who we elect come November, which is not something anyone can truly predict now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/31/business/international/canada-european-union-trade-agreement.html?ref=business