Belgium's Trade Minister Didier Reynders says EU leaders may agree on a landmark EU-Canada trade deal this week – but only if objections from his country's Wallonia region can be met. <br/><br/>EU trade Ministers are discussing the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, CETA deal in Luxembourg, and Wallonia's concerns cannot be ignored. Belgium's national government backs the deal.<br/><br/>Walloon MPs say CETA favours Canadian firms and they want more safeguards for Belgian farmers. It is the EU's biggest trade deal yet.<br/><br/>Going into the Luxembourg meeting, Mr Reynders said the federal government is in favour of CETA but they have to convince particularly Wallonia. <br/><br/>Trade will be a major issue at the two-day EU summit in Brussels, which starts on Thursday.<br/><br/>EU leaders hope to sign CETA – the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement – with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on 27 October. The negotiations started in 2009. <br/><br/>Some UK politicians see CETA as a possible model for a Brexit deal with the EU. It will not allow the degree of EU market access that UK services currently enjoy. And CETA does not involve EU-style free movement of people.
News On AIR | October 18, 2016 5:50 PM
EU leaders may agree on landmark EU-Canada trade deal: Belgium's Minister