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11h ago

EU Countries Provisionally Clear Mercosur Trade Deal After Italy Tips the Balance

The qualified‑majority decision sets up a possible signing next week, with European lawmakers still to ratify the pact.

Police officers stand guard next to the fire as farmers protest against the EU-Mercosur free-trade deal between the European Union and the South American countries of Mercosur, on the day of a European Union leaders' summit, in Brussels, Belgium, December 18, 2025. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo
French farmers park their tractor in front of the Arc de Triomphe to protest against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries but also EU farming policy or mass cull of cows ordered to contain the spread of a skin disease Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
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French farmers protest at the Arc de Triomphe against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries but also against EU farming policy or mass cull of cows ordered to contain the spread of a skin disease, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 in Paris. Poster reads: EU kills. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

Overview

  • EU member states' ambassadors approved moving the agreement forward by qualified majority, unlocking the procedural step needed for a formal signature.
  • Italy’s support proved decisive in securing the majority despite opposition from France, Ireland and Poland, which cited threats to domestic agriculture.
  • The European Commission offered extra safeguards including accelerated access to up to €45 billion in farm funding, tighter import monitoring, a crisis fund, stricter sanitary and pesticide checks, and reduced duties on some fertilizers.
  • Farmer protests escalated as the vote proceeded, with tractors blocking key routes in Paris and actions reported in Belgium and Poland over fears of cheaper imports undercutting EU producers.
  • Officials indicated written confirmations would follow within days, potentially enabling a signing in Paraguay next week, after which the European Parliament must give its approval for the deal to take effect.