In the intricate realm of international trade agreements, meticulous attention to detail is paramount, especially concerning the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada. Emphasizing the significance of this pact, Jérôme Bauer, chairman of the national appellation wine producers’ federation (CNAOC), underscored the wine industry’s staunch support for CETA during a meeting with Cognac winegrowers on April 4.
Bauer’s resolute stance aimed to spur French lawmakers into action, countering the opposition to the FTA expressed by certain French politicians in the Upper House of Parliament. “It’s not game over,” Bauer asserted, highlighting that “the agreement has been in force since 2017 and has produced results.”
For Alsace winegrowers, the focus lies on education, elucidating the tangible benefits of CETA. The suspension of customs duties in 2017 facilitated a notable 24% surge in shipments of wines and spirits, dispelling apprehensions, such as those harbored by the cattle industry regarding potential competition from Canada in the future. “Politicians need to listen to us,” Bauer urged, emphasizing the imperative of preserving a fair and advantageous trade agreement.
Echoing Bauer’s sentiments, Anthony Brun, chairman of the Cognac organization UGVC, affirmed, “When a trade agreement is fair and beneficial, we have to keep it.” Brun emphasized the disparity between political discourse and the realities faced by the wine industry, particularly in the Charentes region, which relies heavily on exporting 96% of its brandies.
Driven by the imperative of exports, the Cognac industry is rallying to counter China’s anti-dumping inquiry. Brun expressed concerns, describing the industry as “hostages” and urging a swift resolution to the issue. He cautioned, “We are the first, but we certainly won’t be the last,” citing previous instances such as the “Trump taxes” amid the Transatlantic Airbus-Boeing dispute, where retaliatory measures initially targeted wines before extending to spirits.
In response to looming trade disputes, the French wine and spirits industry is urging diplomatic efforts to prevent retaliation and mitigate escalating tensions. Industry leaders implore the administration to deploy all available resources to resolve threats to trade stability promptly.
