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Trade Deal Between Canada and E.U. Appears to Have Collapsed Trade Deal Between Canada and E.U. Appears to Have Collapsed
(35 minutes later)
BRUSSELS — A planned trade deal between Canada and the European Union appeared to have collapsed on Friday after Ottawa’s representative walked out of talks aimed at clearing last-minute objections raised by a tiny province in Belgium. BRUSSELS — A planned trade deal between Canada and the European Union appeared to have collapsed on Friday after Ottawa’s representative walked out of talks aimed at clearing last-minute objections raised by a region in Belgium.
The fate of the trade agreement with Canada — the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA — has become a symbol of how the European Union’s ability to act decisively on the world stage is losing out to parochial concerns and rising discontent with globalization. The fate of the trade pact with Canada — the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, or CETA — has become a symbol of how the European Union’s ability to act decisively on the world stage is losing out to parochial concerns and rising discontent with globalization.
Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s international trade minister, left the talks on Friday just as a meeting of European Union leaders broke up without the completion of a deal with Canada because of brinkmanship led by Wallonia, the French-speaking southern part of Belgium.Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s international trade minister, left the talks on Friday just as a meeting of European Union leaders broke up without the completion of a deal with Canada because of brinkmanship led by Wallonia, the French-speaking southern part of Belgium.
“I personally have worked very hard, but it is now evident to me — evident to Canada — that the European Union is incapable of reaching an agreement, even with a country with European values such as Canada, even with a country as nice and as patient as Canada,” Ms. Freeland said in a statement reported by The Associated Press.“I personally have worked very hard, but it is now evident to me — evident to Canada — that the European Union is incapable of reaching an agreement, even with a country with European values such as Canada, even with a country as nice and as patient as Canada,” Ms. Freeland said in a statement reported by The Associated Press.
“Canada is disappointed and I personally am disappointed, but I think it’s impossible. We are returning home. At least I will see my three children tomorrow at our home.”“Canada is disappointed and I personally am disappointed, but I think it’s impossible. We are returning home. At least I will see my three children tomorrow at our home.”
The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, said the talks had reached a standstill but it maintained that the deal could still be saved. The European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, said the talks had reached a standstill, but it maintained that the deal could still be saved.
And Paul Magnette, Wallonia’s president, struck a slightly more optimistic note, according to The Associated Press, but said “difficulties remain” in the talks — notably the politically sensitive issue of how multinational corporations could challenge states under the deal. Under Belgium’s complicated federal system, Charles Michel, the country’s prime minister, can give his approval to the deal only once Wallonia approves. Under Belgium’s complicated federal system, Charles Michel, the country’s prime minister, can give his approval to the deal only once Wallonia approves.
Paul Magnette, the prime minister of Wallonia, has opposed his region’s signing the deal on the grounds that the accord could undermine public services and industries like farming. Mr. Magnette’s Socialist Party is also in a bitter rivalry with the conservative government of Mr. Michel.
Mr. Magnette told RTL radio on Friday that Canada had seven years to negotiate with the European Union but that his region had only 15 days to consider the implications of the agreement. “I simply called for a bit of time,” Mr. Magnette said.
“This was clearly not possible for our Canadian partners,” Mr. Magnette said. “I regret this, but I truly welcome the fact that we worked in an extremely cordial and constructive manner, and perhaps one day that will allow us to take up the discussion again.”
The developments on Friday made it far less likely that Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, would travel to Brussels for a planned signing ceremony on Thursday.The developments on Friday made it far less likely that Justin Trudeau, the Canadian prime minister, would travel to Brussels for a planned signing ceremony on Thursday.