The East African community trade bloc will delay the signing of a trade agreement with the European Union, originally set for October 1.  This is the outcome of deliberations that were held at the EAC heads of state summit in Arusha Tanzania. According to Tanzanian President John Magufuli who is the current EAC chair, discussions regarding the signing of the EPA have been put off till January next year. As the October 1 deadline for the signing of a deal with EU approaches, the EAC leaders have instead urged the EU not to subject Kenyan exports accessing its market to duty, until January, when they will have resolved all the critical issues. Kenya, represented by deputy president William Ruto made its case in an attempt to resolve the impasse by to trying to convince Tanzania and Burundi.