Wallonia blocked a harmful EU trade deal – but we don’t shar

[Oscar]

Wallonia blocked a harmful EU trade deal – but we don’t share Trump’s dreams

[ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... de-belgium ]

Paul Magnette Monday 14 November 2016 08.59 GMT

Thanks to our action over the Canada deal, the EU will have to listen to the desire for a world where trade doesn’t come before everything.

EXCERPT:

That such an obscure topic as an economic and trade agreement should be the subject of such popular debate and controversy is a phenomenon in itself. People fear that under the pretext of protecting investments, multinationals are attacking legislation that was enacted to protect public health, public services and the environment.

When McDonald’s sues the city of Florence for denying it the right to open a fast food restaurant at the foot of the Renaissance cathedral, that seems symbolic of the boundless arrogance of global multinationals and explains why so many people around Europe feel antipathy to their behaviour.

Being the only region in Europe to stand up in this way has made it a very difficult tug of war, and it could have cost us as a small region dearly. This is why we sincerely hope that others in Europe share our commitment. We hope that, as a result of our action, Europe will never be able to negotiate trade treaties as it did before.

Brussels must understand that if we want to reconcile the EU with its citizens and avoid another Brexit, we must listen to this desire for a world where not everything is left to trade. We must understand that a Europe that is transparent and accountable to its citizens is stronger than ever.