Overview
- EU ambassadors delivered a majority green light at Coreper to advance the EU–Mercosur pact toward signature and provisional application.
- Italy’s support proved decisive after securing concessions including an advance of €45 billion in future CAP-related funds, a lower 5% trigger for farm safeguards, and temporary relief from CBAM costs on fertilizers with some duties zeroed.
- Five countries voted against at this stage—France, Poland, Ireland, Austria and Hungary—while Belgium abstained, reflecting persistent political divides.
- France has publicly declared it will oppose the agreement, even as the Commission pledges tighter reciprocity checks and reinforced border controls for sensitive agricultural imports.
- Farmer protests intensified across Europe, with tractors reaching central Paris landmarks, roadblocks in Spain including near the French border, and traffic disruption in Milan, as formal Council confirmation and a planned Jan. 12 signing in Paraguay are lined up.