News analysis: Can Canadian PM's visit calm trade agreement worries?

Hardly a greater contrast has been seen in the European Parliament here between Wednesday's stormy debate on the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the stately address given by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday.

During the speech, the first given to the European Parliament by a Canadian prime minister, Members of European Parliament (MEPs) snapped photos on their cell phones as Trudeau celebrated 41 years of diplomatic relations between the European Union (EU) and Canada.

The prime minister, often praised for his good looks and friendly demeanor, switched easily between French and English, the Strasbourg hemicycle remaining quiet and attentive during the address praising the future of CETA.

"CETA is not only about commerce, imports and exports, about profits. It aims to improve people's lives," declared Trudeau to the hushed room.

Only a day before, MEPs had booed and clapped one another as they debated the same trade deal, with more than a few polemics delivered against what many considered to be a "bad deal" and one which would "put us in the hands of multinationals."

Likewise, a protest of citizens groups and political parties against CETA gathered in Strasbourg and marched to the European Parliament to show their opposition to the agreement.

While the mood had changed in the ranks of the European Parliament by the time of Thursday's address, the campaign seemed far from over, and Trudeau's address seemed timed to influence the future.

The trade agreement may have received the green light from European Parliament, but must be ratified by national and regional parliaments before it can be fully implemented, a process which could take years and which few are willing to take for granted.

In October, a reluctant regional parliament in the Belgian region of Wallonia snagged the signing of the agreement, and such a hold up could happen again if one of the 38 national and regional parliaments fail to ratify CETA.

Meanwhile, provisional application could happen as early as April for CETA, with the vast majority of its measures applied, including the dropping of trade tariffs.

But as memories of Wednesday's debate hung in the air during Trudeau's speech on Thursday, it wasn't yet clear if his famous charisma would be enough to quell concerns about whether CETA represented truly inclusive global trade.

The major issue still revolves around the independent tribunal that is to be set up for investment protection, known as the Investment Court System (ICS). While proponents of the deal have set up the ICS mechanism for transparency, critics remained unconvinced that it would not be biased towards large multinational companies.

"Trade needs to work for people," declared Trudeau, seeming convinced that CETA was just the kind of "forward-looking, progressive agreement" that its supporters claimed.

Whether his endorsement was convincing, however, remains to be seen, and in the meantime, critics are sure to be watching carefully for any sign of failure once the agreement is provisionally applied. Endit