EU risks trade impotence as critics target Canada deal

Brussels

A DEAL that would allow Canada to sell maple syrup duty free in the European Union and Europeans to ship more cheese to Canadian shops has become the focus of a battle with anti-globalisation groups that is key to the future of Europe's free trade agreements.

Supporters of the huge deal say it would increase trade between the EU and Canada on a range of products, from cars to investment and farm products, by nearly a quarter, boosting the EU economy by 12 billion euros (S$18.2 billion).