Thousands protest planned trade link-ups with US, Canada
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Thousands of demonstrators have marched at the European Union headquarters to protest trans-Atlantic trade talks with the United States and a planned deal with Canada, claiming they would hurt labor and consumer rights while undermining environmental protection.
Representatives of unions, social organizations, human rights and farming groups snarled evening rush-hour traffic in the heart of the Belgian capital hoping the talks with Washington on the so-called TTIP trade deal fail to get enough European backing.
They also hope there will be enough of a groundswell of opposition to make sure that the CETA deal with Canada doesn't get the necessary parliamentary approvals in EU member states.
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Backers of both deals say that they will be essential in boosting trade and jobs in the future.