Commentary by Gabriella AKTINS

Whilst the negotiation of an EU-Canada trade deal may seem of little significance to the UK in the light of Theresa May’s first EU summit as Prime Minister, the difficulties the EU is facing should be a grave warning for the UK.  Currently, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada (CETA) is at jeopardy as it is being blocked by the Wallonia’s government.  The message which should be clear to the UK is that when all EU members are required to ratify a treaty, the voice of one can halt the progress of the many.

What is CETA?

TTIP & CETA protests in Berlin last year – By foodwatch, licensed under CC BY SA 2.0

CETA is a proposed free-trade agreement between Canada and the EU which would effectively abolish 98% of trade tariffs between Canada and the EU.  Negotiations were concluded in August 2014…