Overview
- EU governments approved the text and Ursula von der Leyen, joined by European Council President António Costa, is slated to sign the pact in Asunción on January 17.
- Olof Gill, a European Commission spokesperson, said the treaty can be applied before European Parliament consent, a stance facing political and legal pushback from opponents including France.
- Farm protests swelled across Europe, with tractors converging on France’s National Assembly and blockades at roads and ports in France and Spain, as more actions are planned including a January 21 rally in Brussels.
- The Commission outlined safeguards such as reinforced import checks, a trigger to probe price and volume shocks, a ban on three fungicides (thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim and benomyl), and budget support including a proposed €45 billion CAP top-up, alongside national aid like France’s €300 million package.
- The agreement still requires European Parliament approval and national ratifications on both sides, with Italy’s backing proving decisive for EU sign-off and France vowing resistance as Mercosur exporters prepare for tariff cuts and quota access in key farm goods.