Archive · 10 Jan 2026
EU Approves Mercosur Trade Deal Amid Farmer Protests
The European Union (EU) is expected to approve a big trade deal with Mercosur, a group of South American countries.
This deal, which has been in the works for over 25 years, will make it easier and cheaper to trade goods between the EU and Mercosur.
Some countries, like France, are worried because they think it will hurt their farmers by allowing cheaper food imports.
The EU has added some protections to help farmers, but France and Poland still oppose it.
The deal will need to be approved by the European Parliament before it can start.
Meanwhile, India and the EU are also talking about a trade deal to help their farmers and small businesses.
EU nations expected to approve the signing of the largest free trade accord with Mercosur on Friday.
The deal aims to remove 4 billion euros in duties on EU exports and expand evenly split goods trade worth 111 billion euros in 2024.
France and Poland oppose the deal, citing concerns about cheap food imports undercutting domestic farmers.
The EU has implemented safeguards, including import controls and a crisis fund, to address farmer concerns.
The agreement will need approval from the European Parliament before it can enter into force.
- Who
- EU nations and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay)
- What
- Approval of the signing of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement
- When
- Expected approval on Friday, with written confirmation later on Friday or Monday
- Where
- Brussels, Belgium
- Why
- To unlock new markets, offset business lost from U.S. tariffs, and reduce reliance on China
- EU Countries
- 27 member states
- Approval Requirement
- 15 countries (65% of EU population)
- Trade Volume
- 111 billion euros (2024)
- EU Exports to Mercosur
- Machinery, chemicals, transport equipment
- Mercosur Exports to EU
- Agricultural products, minerals, pulp, paper
- Tariff Reduction
- 4 billion euros in duties removed
- Safeguards
- Import controls, crisis fund, farmer support
- Expected Signing
- Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
Sources
India-EU FTA Talks Advance In Brussels, Goyal Reaffirms Commitment To Farmer & MSME Protection
EU countries expected to clear signing of record Mercosur trade deal
French opposition parties seek to topple government over Mercosur
Piyush Goyal meets EU Trade Commissioner to advance talks on proposed Free Trade Agreement
Goyal holds talks in Brussels on key issues in India-EU free trade pact
Goyal holds talks in Brussels on key issues of India–EU free trade pact
EU envoys provisionally approve signing of record Mercosur trade deal
Piyush Goyal meets EU Trade Commissioner to speed up FTA
EU states back record South America trade deal after 25 years
EU parliamentarians launch campaign to freeze trade deal with US over Trump’s Greenland threats
EU member states confirm approval of signing EU-Mercosur trade agreement
Mercosur bloc to sign EU trade deal on January 17
EU strikes largest trade accord with Mercosur, forging free-trade zone for 700 million people
After 25 years of talks, EU & Mercosur agree to the highly contested free trade agreement
India, EU express resolve to conclude FTA soon
