EU sets Belgium Monday deadline to back Canada trade deal - EU source

Bs_logoImage
Reuters BRUSSELS
Last Updated : Oct 23 2016 | 4:57 PM IST

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union has given Belgium's federal government until late on Monday to secure backing for an EU-Canada trade deal from the region of Wallonia or a planned summit to sign the pact will be cancelled, an EU source said on Sunday.

European Council President Donald Tusk, who chairs the collective body of the EU's 28 national leaders, will speak to Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel by late on Monday, the source said, so that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can decide whether to fly to Brussels for the signing on Thursday.

If Michel cannot assure Tusk that Belgium will be able to let the EU sign the CETA agreement, then Thursday's EU-Canada summit will be postponed and no new date will be set, although the source said neither the EU nor Canada is willing to give up on a free trade pact that has been years in the making.

All 27 other EU states are willing to sign, as is Michel's liberal-led coalition. But the Belgian premier cannot do so without the consent of five regional authorities and Socialist-run Wallonia is resisting, saying the deal is bad for Europe's farmers and gives too much power to global corporate interests.

(Reporting by Alastair Macdonald; Editing by Toby Chopra)

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Access to Exclusive Premium Stories Online

  • Over 30 behind the paywall stories daily, handpicked by our editors for subscribers

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 23 2016 | 4:42 PM IST