After Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau earlier said he won't be traveling to Brussels, major media outlets quoted sources from the European Commission as saying the European Union canceled today's summit with the North American country. The event was planned for the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has been prepared for seven years, but the Belgian region of Wallonia blocked its government and brushed off several ultimatums.
The latest developments brought the process for the free trade deal to a halt. The deadlock cannot be resolved until all members of the EU reach a consensus. Canada's foreign ministry said the government in Ottawa remains committed to signing the agreement when its partners are ready. Representatives of Wallonia have opposed the terms, expressing concern about labor rules, the agriculture sector and environmental standards, on top of political bickering with the Belgian cabinet.
Image: EPA / Julien Warnand
