Crazed socialists in tiny Belgian state of Wallonia torpedoes multi-billion pound EU-Canada trade deal
Local politicians fear megabucks deal will see local workers lose their jobs
THE small Belgian region of Wallonia has torpedoed a massive new EU trade deal with Canada worth hundreds of billions.
Local Socialist politicians in the depressed former industrial heartland yesterday blocked the national government in Brussels from signing the flagship new agreement.
The French-speaking region fears the major deal will flood it with cheaper farming and industrial imports that will see local workers laid off.
A vote by Wallonia’s lawmakers - by 46 to 16 - means the whole of the continent is now being held to ransom by them.
Eurocrats also fear the angry Walloons will next try to sink a far bigger trade deal with the US - the Trans The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.
As the region has a veto on all Belgium’s international agreements, Wallonia is also able to block Britain’s Brexit deal in 2019.
Wallonia’s 3.5 million people make up just 0.6 percent of the EU’s 510 million population.
But the region’s socialist boss Paul Magnette yesterday insisted: “I will not give powers to the federal government, and Belgium will not sign CETA on October 18”.
RELATED STORIES
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel is now racing to find a solution.
Canada’s leader Justin Trudeau said: “I’m confident that there are so many strong European countries, like France, Germany and others on board, that this deal is going to make it through”.
Britain’s farmers yesterday told Theresa May it was vital her Brexit deal keeps their zero tariff and customs-free access to EU markets.
The NFU unveiled the findings of their membership consultation, heaping the pressure on the PM not to hurt the economy.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “As Brexit negotiations near, we need Government to be acutely aware of what’s at stake for British food and farming.
“We want full unfettered access to the single market - our consultation was clear that members wanted a new bespoke deal with the EU.”