Belgian Prime Minister ‘cannot sign’ landmark European Union trade deal with Canada

There is now major doubt over the pact’s future and over whether a special summit will go ahead on Thursday with Canadian President Justin Trudeau

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel was given until today to resolve an internal dispute blocking the deal (Getty)

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel has said he cannot sign a landmark EU trade agreement with Canada after it was rejected by one of the country’s regions.

After the French-speaking Wallonia region refused to approve the historic deal with Canada, the EU gave Mr Michel until today to turn the situation around.

But talks with Wallonia’s leaders have now broken down, leading Mr Michel to admit: “We are not in a position to sign Ceta.”

There is now major doubt over the pact’s future and over whether a special summit will go ahead on Thursday with Canadian President Justin Trudeau.

Socialist-run Wallonia wants stronger safeguards on labour, environmental and consumer standards before giving backing to the pact. Belgium’s federal government cannot agree to the deal without the consent of five regional authorities.

Supporters say Canada and the EU would eliminate 98 per cent of tariffs under the proposals, negotiated over five years between 2009 and 2014.

Europe's failure to sign Ceta was highlighted during the UK's EU referendum campaign as one reason Britain would be better off outside the union.

But it has also been underlined as a sign that the UK will have difficulty organising its own free trade deal with the EU if it leaves the single market after Brexit talks.