PM to intervene in deadlocked EU-Canada trade negotiations

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper is seeking to break a deadlock in trade talks with the EU by stepping up his part in negotiations, people familiar with the strategy said.

Mr Harper’s office is moving beyond the formal negotiating process to resolve disputes in areas such as beef and dairy, two people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News on condition they not be identified. Mr Harper’s advisers are now dealing with European Commission president Jose Barroso’s office, escalating talks led by Canadian trade minister Ed Fast and EU counterpart Karel De Gucht.

With negotiations dragging into a fifth year, Canadian executives warn Mr Harper may be running out of time to complete his signature trade agreement amid concern that talks with the US will leapfrog Canada as a priority for Europe.