Speaking to mostly sceptical Senators, European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan praised the merits of CETA, the economic and trade agreement with Canada. The Dutch Senate ('Eerste kamer') could actually refuse to ratify the agreement, inflicting an unprecedented blow to European trade policy (see EUROPE B12428A19).
The Commissioner drew the attention of the Dutch deputies to the economic benefits already derived from the agreement by the country and especially by its farmers, who are very...