Agreements | Milan, 18 November 2016

EU trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström today met Italian politicians, businessmen, and civil society in Milan. She explained the social and economic benefits of trade deals such as the recent EU-Canada agreement – which offers to cut a total €500 million in tariff costs on EU goods.

She provided examples of Italian small businesses who stand to benefit from the EU-Canada deal – as well as the Italian foodstuffs like Mortadella Bologna and Gorgonzola which will receive protection.

At a later meeting with Eurocities – attended by mayors of towns and cities across Europe - the Commissioner set out her view that EU trade policy should be informed by values such as human rights, labour rights and the environment – and encouraged them to take part in the EU's new award for fair and ethical trade, which will reward the positive work done in this field by an EU city.

In separate discussions, the Commissioner will also meet and discuss trade issues with other stakeholders such as trade unions, think tanks and non-government organisations.

Read her speech to European business, and the mayors at Eurocities.