Belgium blocks EU-Canada Free Trade Deal

**-:Undertaker:-** · 15-10-2016, 07:07 PM

https://www.theguardian.com/business...arliament-vote

Belgium's federal province of Walloonia blocks EU-Canada Free Trade Deal

Canada annoyed that the deal, several years in the making, may now be in ruins

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked what the purpose of the EU is if it cannot agree to basic trade deals

Originally Posted by Guardian

A landmark trade deal between the EU and Canada is in jeopardy after being rejected by a Belgian regional parliament, raising questions about other agreements such as a future arrangement between the UK and the EU.

EU trade ministers hope to sign the deal on Tuesday, but the outcome is in doubt after the Walloon parliament passed a resolution against it on Friday.

The EU and Canada have spent seven years negotiating the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA), which would eliminate tariffs on most goods between the two parties.

But EU negotiators have said it can only go ahead with the unanimous agreement of all 28 member states. While several countries have raised last-minute problems, Belgium has become a stumbling block that threatens to bring down the deal.

Belgium’s federal government supports the trade deal but may be unable to give its consent because of opposition from the Socialist-led Walloon parliament, which has argued that the CETA gives too much power to multinationals.

The problems in finalising the CETA hint at the political minefield that the British government will face in agreeing a free trade deal with the EU.

Canada is running out of patience with the EU’s problems in finalising the agreement, with formal negotiations having ended in August 2014.

Speaking before the Walloon parliament vote on Thursday, the Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said: “If we find in a week or two that Europe is incapable of signing a progressive trade deal with a country like Canada, then who does Europe think it can do business with in the years to come?

“In this post-Brexit [vote] situation, where there are a great many questions about Europe’s usefulness, if Europe cannot manage to sign this agreement, then that sends a very clear message. Not just to Europe, but to the whole world, that Europe is choosing a path that is not productive for its citizens or the world. And that would be a shame.”

Following the vote, Trudeau told reporters in Alberta: “We’ve always known it’s going to require hard work right to the very end. But I’m confident that there are so many strong European countries, like France as we saw, Germany is fully on board, and others, that this deal is going to make it through.”

His earlier words were echoed by European leaders, who are increasingly concerned that the EU’s reputation as a trading bloc will be irretrievably damaged by failing to sign a deal with a close ally.

The one thing it proclaims to be really good at it can't even do properly. If this Canadian deal now falls through despite several years of talks, it will go to join the proposed deal with the United States which they now admit is dead.

I guess to borrow a phrase from ~~No 10 spin doctors~~ President Obama it's to the back of another queue for the EU!

Thoughts?

**-:Undertaker:-** · 21-10-2016, 04:04 PM

Talks have completely broken down now. Another EU fail at reaching a trade agreement with a first world country.

Now where are all those who were telling us it was better to negotiate as a bloc than alone?

EU "not capable" of signing trade deal even with Canada, says minister, as talks with Belgian region break down https://t.co/HKgbkEd6PO
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 21, 2016

How odd that the EU's inability to agree a trade deal with Canada is used as an argument *against* Brexit. We can now have a bilateral FTA.
— Daniel Hannan (@DanielJHannan) October 21, 2016

Originally Posted by CBS

Last-ditch efforts to salvage Canada's trade deal with the European Union appear to have collapsed Friday, as Canada's International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland walked out of talks with the regional government of Wallonia.

The region has been blocking the deal that was supposed to be signed next week.

"Canada worked really hard, and me personally, I worked very hard," she said in French, expressing Canada's disappointment — as well as her own — at this turn of events.

"It's become evident for me, for Canada, that the European Union isn't capable now to have an international treaty even with a country that has very European values like Canada. And even with a country so nice, with a lot of patience like Canada."

"I've worked very, very hard, but I think it's impossible," the minister said, reflecting on the months of travel and lobbying across Europe she's invested personally in trying to garner enough support.

"We have decided to return home. I am very sad. It is emotional for me," she told reporters. "The only good thing I can say is that tomorrow morning I will be at home with my three kids."

If I were to put money on it my bet is that Britain will have an FTA with Canada long before the EU (ever?) does.