October 24, 2016 8:54 PM

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Belgian PM says cannot sign off on EU-Canada trade deal

Belgium is unable to sign off on a landmark EU-Canada free trade deal after Wallonia and other regional administrations refused to give the federal government the go-ahead. Prime Minister Charles Michel said this today after brief talks with Belgium's regional leaders in Brussels broke up without an accord despite a looming EU deadline of late today. <br/><br/>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is due in Brussels on Thursday to sign the trade pact, officially known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The European Union requires approval from all 28 member states to go ahead. In turn, under Belgium's devolved power structure, Michel needs clearance from all of the country's regional governments to give his assent.

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