By  Paul de Clerck
We are at a crossroads for international trade policy. The failure of
TTIP and CETA would pave the way for a fairer and more democratic
world, argues Paul de Clerck.
Paul de Clerck is the economic justice programme coordinator for Friends of the Earth Europe.
The European Union, the world’s biggest trading bloc, is, for the
second time in a matter of months, on the verge of seeing one of its
mega trade deals fall into disarray.
If the objections of several regions in Belgium are upheld, the
signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with
Canada planned for next week will most likely be cancelled. This follows
the near collapse of TTIP, the EU’s proposed agreement with the US.
Rather than despairing at the state of the EU, we should see how these
developments provide a unique opportunity for the EU to take the lead in
shaping new trade regimes for the future that are beneficial for people
and the environment.


The opposition to CETA and TTIP has been unprecedented in the history
of the EU. Concerns have been expressed by millions of people across
the continent, including lawyers, academics, political parties, local
authorities and virtually all sectors of civil society. Many governments
have also expressed reservations on CETA. Only the Walloons, however,
had the guts to show it the red card.
Wallonia, the Belgian region taking the lead in its steadfast
opposition to CETA, is doing us all a favour. For a start, they are
exercising their democratic right to raise concerns about a proposed EU
deal. One of the most important issues raised by Wallonia is how CETA
would give power to foreign investors to sue governments for huge
compensation if democratically agreed decisions to protect citizens or
the environment interfere with their profits. Wallonia faces not only
substantial financial liabilities, but also a serious impairment to its
democratic decision-making powers. It is only normal that the region
should have its say in this matter.