this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2026
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LONDON — Two of the world’s biggest trading blocs are cautiously eyeing closer ties to short-circuit Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The European Union and a 12-nation Indo-Pacific bloc are opening talks to explore proposals to form one of the largest global economic alliances, multiple people with knowledge of the talks told POLITICO.

Canada is spearheading the discussions after Prime Minister Mark Carney called on middle powers to buck trade war coercion last month, days after Trump threatened to raise tariffs on Denmark’s European allies if it didn’t cede Greenland.

Ottawa is “championing efforts to build a bridge between the Trans-Pacific Partnership [CPTPP] and the European Union, which would create a new trading bloc of 1.5 billion people,” Carney told world leaders and the global business elite in Davos.

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[–] merc@sh.itjust.works 26 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I like the idea of working around the US. But, I don't like that these trade deals are typically designed to help big businesses, not individuals. Like, even back in the good ol' days when NAFTA was in place, maybe Canadian businesses could import from the US without any tariffs. But, I, as an individual consumer, couldn't buy something from the US without being hit with a big duty payment. In addition, the deals often have things in them that prevent participating countries from having sane laws if those laws interfere with businesses at all. For example, the only reason that anti-circumvention measures exist in Canada is that it was a condition of trade deals that Canada adopt the worst parts of the DMCA.

Future deals should allow individual people to buy things cheaply overseas, and not just allow businesses to do that. They should also address the freer movement of people between countries. And, they shouldn't prevent countries from adding laws that protect people or the environment.

[–] GreyEyedGhost@piefed.ca 7 points 4 days ago

You could buy American-made products duty free. You could not buy anything available in America without paying duty, provided those items would have duty or additional taxes applied if they were imported into Canada. So, taxes on American alcohol, because we have additional taxes on alcohol. Taxes on Chinese goods in America, because we have different tariffs in Canada than they do in America. Etc., etc.

[–] FreshParsnip@lemmy.ca 10 points 4 days ago

The world is slowly cutting off trade with the Untied States. And deservedly so. Put the Untied States on time out until it behaves

[–] HubertManne@piefed.social 10 points 4 days ago

good. I was unaware of the CPTPP.

[–] deHaga@feddit.uk 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

The European Union and a 12-nation Indo-Pacific bloc

Politico forgetting the UK is a CPTPP country as well.

I remember a lot of jokes from EU politicians about how silly an idea it was. How the turn tables eh?

[–] susi7802@sopuli.xyz 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

No need to gloat. You’re still not in the EU. Happy with your blue passport, eh?

[–] deHaga@feddit.uk -3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Hmm, pretty sure there's been plenty of gloating from your side bud.

[–] susi7802@sopuli.xyz 3 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I started warning against Brexit around 2013, but I have to admit that witnessing the slomo carcrash since has had a few itoldyouso moments.

[–] sad_detective_man@sopuli.xyz 2 points 4 days ago

Good on her ☕