Canada-EU CETA Negotiation Simulation - Round 1

This simulation, held in June, 2010 was based on the current agenda for Canada and EU negotiations. For the purposes of the simulation, participants were divided between two teams, one representing Canada and the other European Union. The purpose of the simulation was for the participants to draft and agree on a negotiating text of a bilateral Free Trade Agreement setting out approaches to the principle issues in the negotiations (Trade in Goods, including Agriculture; Services and Investment; Government Procurement; and intellectual property rights). In addition, the chief negotiators were asked to formulate approaches to the two issues, of Trade & Environment and Trade & Labour. The product of the simulation, a draft text, was shared and disseminated among both Canadian and EU government and to members of the public, with the goal to educate and inform the public on pertinent Canada-EU trade issues.

The EU-Canada Trade simulation was open to graduate students (undergraduate students in their final year of study may also be considered) at all Canadian universities currently pursuing studies related to international trade, including economics, international affairs, and international law. Each team consisted of four groups of three students for total of twelve members on each team. Each group was responsible for one of the identified priority issues.  The simulation took place over a five-day period. This was broken down as follows: the actual negotiations between teams will transpire for the first four days; and for the final day, the student teams prepared a presentation and presented their conclusions from the simulation including the draft text. This last session was open to the public; invitees includes public services employees, university faculty, media, and undergraduate and graduate students

Through careful preparation and mentoring by some of Canada’s most prominent trade practitioners, participants were challenged to generate new ideas and formulate realistic scenarios for resolving the key issues impacting the Canada-EU free trade negotiations. Each team was assigned a coach who advised the team on preparation, substantive issues, and strategies. The team could consult their coach in advance of and throughout the sessions, but the coaches were not to intervene in the negotiating sessions themselves. An instructor was assigned for each principal negotiating issue. The instructor opened negotiations in his/her area with a set of questions/parameters for the negotiators to consider. The instructors were also available throughout the negotiations as independent technical advisers to both teams.

For more details and questions about CTPL's Canada - EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Research and Public Outreach program, please contact Project Manager Monique Moreau.