It appears the Canada-European Union trade deal is back on track, as the Belgian government has reached a deal to support CETA.
After days of negotiating, Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel says they were able to reach an agreement with the region of Wallonia that provides guarantees for the agriculture sector and changes to the corporate dispute settlement mechanism that “will allow us to sign the deal.”
Belgian agreement on #CETA . All parliaments are now able to approve by tomorrow at midnight. Important step for EU and Canada
— Charles Michel (@CharlesMichel) October 27, 2016
The deal is slated to go through Belgium’s regional legislatures by Friday night. The amendments will also have to be reviewed by the other 27 EU members.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was supposed to be in Brussels on Thursday for a signing summit, but the trip was cancelled late Wednesday.
EU President Donald Tusk says he will only contact Trudeau “once all procedures are finalised.”
I am glad for good news from PM @CharlesMichel. Only once all procedures are finalised for EU signing CETA, will I contact PM @JustinTrudeau
— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) October 27, 2016
Related:
- EU Needs to Get Its Act Together — Minister MacAulay Talks Trade, Carbon Tax & Grain Transport
- Canada-EU Deal “Impossible,” Says Trade Minister After Walking Out of Talks
- TPP Doesn’t Need the U.S. Anyway: Gerry Ritz
