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October 25, 2016

Belgian Socialist Region Threatens to Block Major EU-Canada Trade Deal
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A major trade deal between the European Union and Canada appears to be
on the brink of collapse, after Belgium announced it would not sign the
treaty amid massive local opposition in three regions of Belgium. The
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, known as CETA, was expected
to be signed this week. It requires the support of all 28 European Union
countries to be approved, but on Monday Belgian Prime Minister Charles
Michel said he could not sign the agreement, because of opposition led
by Belgium's socialist-run Wallonia region, where residents are
demanding stronger labor, health and environmental protections.


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