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.
