Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 WORLD NEWS
Friday 17 February 2017
European Central Bank: ‘No room for complacency’ on recovery

DAVID McHUGH count of the Jan. 19 meet- shield the recovery against read. EU, starting talks on the
AP Business Writer ing of the bank’s 25-mem- possible disruption, such as Europe faces elections in U.K.’s future trade relation-
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) ber governing council. from unexpected political France, the Netherlands, ship with the EU. The elec-
— Top European Central The officials decided it was developments. Germany and possibly Italy tion of Donald Trump in the
Bank officials saw “no room too early to even think While some economic signs this year. United States has raised
for complacency” when about easing off their stim- have pointed up, officials In each case, right-wing or questions about U.S. trade
it came to supporting the ulus measures and instead decided that “the funda- radical parties opposed to policy with China and oth-
economic recovery with stressed their determina- mental picture remained the European Union and er countries, a key factor in
continued stimulus at least tion to keep pumping new- largely unaltered and there the euro itself will have a the global economy.
through the end of the ly printed money into the was no room for compla- chance to test their support The 19 countries that use
year. economy. That supports cency, as risks and uncer- with voters. the euro are enjoying a
That was the view con- lending to businesses and tainties had not receded Britain will also be giving moderate economic re-
tained in the written ac- economic growth, helping substantially,” the account notice that it is leaving the covery. q

Trudeau hails EU-Canada trade deal in speech to EU lawmakers

DOMINIQUE SOGUEL the White House.
Associated Press “My message Monday in
STRASBOURG, France (AP) Washington is the same as
— Canadian Prime Minis- my message here in Stras-
ter Justin Trudeau on Thurs- bourg,” Trudeau told jour-
day hailed a new trade nalists. “We have to work
pact with the European as governments and in
Union, telling the EU parlia- between governments to
ment that the deal they create jobs for the middle
approved this week will class. and opportunities for
create jobs and boost the those trying to join them.”
middle class on both sides While the Canadian prime
of the Atlantic. minister acknowledged
In his address, the first by there may be differences
a Canadian leader to in perspectives on how to
the European parliament, approach that and de-
Trudeau said that “trade nounced the politics of
that is free and fair means fear at a time of great anx-
that we can make the lives iety across the world, he
of our citizens more afford- made no criticism of Trump.
able.” “What I saw from the Amer-
He presented the Com- ican president, was a focus
prehensive Economic and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is greeted by the President of the European Parliament on getting things done,” he
Trade Agreement as a Antonio Tajani, right, as he arrives at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, Thursday, said.
“blue-print” for future trade Feb. 16, 2017. Trudeau’s visit to Washing-
deals and the outcome of (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) ton also focused on trade
Europe’s and Canada’s their concerns, stressing The deal removes barriers level of 63.5 euros. and ended on a relatively
shared history and values. that “trade needs to work on all traded goods and Backers of the deal hailed it positive note, with Trump
The deal was approved for people” and that the services, with a few restric- as victory of openness over hailing the U.S. relationship
Wednesday amid strong agreement aims to do just tions for agricultural prod- protectionism and stagna- with Canada as outstand-
opposition from free-trade that and includes provisions ucts and in the sectors of tion at a time when many, ing and suggesting only
critics who fear it gives too that will allow governments audiovisual, transport and including the U.S. admin- a few tweaks would be
much power to multina- to protect their citizens and public services. istration, are heading that made to the North Ameri-
tionals. They hope that it workforce. The trade agreement con- way. It comes at a time can Free Trade Agree-
will be blocked by national “If we are successful, CETA nects markets of 500 million when populist movements ment.
and regional parliaments in will become the blueprint Europeans with 35 million are on the rise making the Trudeau is expected to
the EU even after its provi- for all ambitious, future Canadians. If fully imple- future of the EU uncertain. continue his pro-trade
sional entry into force fore- trade deals,” he said. “If we mented, it could boost Trudeau’s address came campaign with an address
seen for April. are not, this could very well trade between the two by just days after he met U.S. to business leaders Friday in
Trudeau sought to allay be one of the last.” 20 percent from its 2015 President Donald Trump at Germany.q

Germany’s Merkel testifies on alleged US eavesdropping

GEIR MOULSON — which she said she heard dropping programs in 2013. time that “spying among she said she stood by her
Associated Press about only much later. Merkel is expected to be friends” was unacceptable. comment from 2013.
BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor The parliamentary panel the last witness. But subsequent reports indi- “My standard was that spy-
Angela Merkel told law- is investigating alleged Reports later in 2013 that cated that Germany’s own ing among friends is not ac-
makers she stands by her eavesdropping in Ger- the NSA listened in on Ger- BND intelligence agency ceptable, and if it happens
2013 complaint that “spy- many by the U.S. National man government phones, may have helped the U.S. we have to intervene,” she
ing among friends” is unac- Security Agency and its including Merkel’s, prompt- spy on European compa- told lawmakers. She noted
ceptable as she testified relationship with German ed a diplomatic spat be- nies and officials. that a law governing the
Thursday to a committee counterparts. The inquiry tween Berlin and Washing- Merkel testified that she first BND has since been re-
examining alleged U.S. sur- was launched a year after ton that soured otherwise heard about the BND’s al- vised, and that the agen-
veillance in Germany, as former NSA contractor Ed- good relations with the leged activities in March cy’s chief was replaced.
well as questionable activi- ward Snowden revealed Obama administration. 2015, sticking to a line set The BND is overseen by the
ties by German intelligence details of secret U.S. eaves- Merkel declared at the out by other officials. And chancellery.q