Could a post-Brexit trade deal really be blocked by a region of Belgium?

Wallonia has already signalled it will scupper a second EU trade agreement, writes Jon Stone

The European Commission is responsible for negotiating EU trade deals – but member states also usually get a say (iStock)

Wallonia has developed a bit of a reputation in international trade circles. Belgium’s largely French-speaking region voted to block the EU-Canada trade deal back in 2016 and only relented when it had secured concessions. Again this week, its government has said it would block the EU-Merocsur deal with South America struck by European Commission negotiators last year. There are fears a similar fate could befall the UK’s Brexit ambition to get a deal done by the end of 2020.

What is Wallonia?

Wallonia, known in French as Wallonie, is the largely French-speaking southern half of Belgium (though it also contains the country’s very small German-speaking community). It is Belgium’s lower-income half and boasts the beautiful Ardennes hills and former coal and steel areas. Its population is 3.6 million.