OTTAWA — Despite tense negotiations Thursday, the small Belgian region of Wallonia continued to block Canada’s free trade deal with the European Union. Paul Magnette, the region’s prime minister, implied the ball was in Canada’s court rather than the European Union’s, RTBF, the Belgian French-language public broadcaster, reported. Magnette said he wanted to meet again with International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland before any further negotiations with the EU. Echoing statements earlier Thursday by European Council president Donald Tusk, Juncker said the EU needs to conclude this trade agreement with Canada. Freeland has been in Belgium since Wednesday trying to secure Magnette’s support for a deal that has taken seven years to finalize.

Source: National Post October 21, 2016 00:23 UTC