How tiny Wallonia can hijack the EU-Canada deal
BRUSSELS — It’s a serious case of the tail wagging the dog.
For days now, the small Belgian region of Wallonia, population 3.6 million, has been holding up the signature of a landmark free-trade deal between Canada, population 35 million, and the European Union, population 500 million.
Because of Belgium’s convoluted constitutional setup, Belgium can only give its approval to the deal if all its regions do, too. And because the EU can only approve the deal if all its states clear it, the whole thing is in the air.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is waiting to know if he should board a plane to come sign the deal Thursday. For EU leaders, it’s been frustrating and embarrassing.