{"id":684520,"date":"2026-01-09T13:11:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T13:11:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/684520\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T13:11:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T13:11:09","slug":"eu-envoys-provisionally-approve-signing-of-record-mercosur-trade-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/684520\/","title":{"rendered":"EU envoys provisionally approve signing of record Mercosur trade deal"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul data-testid=\"Summary\" class=\"summary-module__summary__QjADA\">\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Deal aims to offset U.S. tariffs, reduce reliance on China<\/li>\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">France opposes deal due to impact on domestic farmers<\/li>\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Accord will still require European Parliament&#8217;s approval<\/li>\n<li data-testid=\"Body\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf summary-module__point__UgXPz\">Safeguards include import controls, crisis fund for farmers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>BRUSSELS, Jan 9 (Reuters) &#8211; EU ambassadors gave provisional approval on Friday to the signing of the bloc&#8217;s largest ever <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/whats-eu-mercosur-deal-why-is-it-contentious-2025-09-03\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free trade accord<\/a> with South American group Mercosur, over 25 years since negotiations began and after months of wrangling to secure key member states&#8217; backing, according to three EU diplomats and sources.The European Commission, which <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/eu-mercosur-set-finalise-contentious-trade-deal-2024-12-06\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">concluded negotiations<\/a> a year ago, and countries such as Germany and Spain argue it is a vital part of an EU push to unlock new markets to offset business lost from U.S. tariffs and to reduce reliance on China by securing access to critical minerals.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"promo-box\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf article-body-module__promo-box__hVl8h\"> Sign up  <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/americas\/eu-countries-expected-clear-signing-record-mercosur-trade-deal-2026-01-09\/undefined?location=article-paragraph&amp;redirectUrl=%2Fworld%2Famericas%2Feu-countries-expected-clear-signing-record-mercosur-trade-deal-2026-01-09%2F\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Opponents led by <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/french-opposition-parties-seek-topple-government-over-mercosur-2026-01-09\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">France<\/a>, the European Union&#8217;s largest agricultural producer, say the agreement will jack up imports of cheap food products, including beef, poultry and sugar, undercutting domestic farmers. Farmers have launched protests across the EU, blocking French and Belgian highways and marching in Poland on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>Ambassadors from the EU&#8217;s 27 member states indicated their governments&#8217; positions on Friday with at least 15 countries representing 65% of the bloc&#8217;s total population voting in favour, as required for approval, the EU sources and diplomats said. EU capitals have been given until 5 p.m. Brussels time (1600 GMT) to provide written confirmation of their votes.<\/p>\n<p>This will clear the way for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to sign the agreement with Mercosur partners &#8211; Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay &#8211; possibly as early as next week. The European Parliament will also need to approve the accord before it can enter force.<\/p>\n<p>FRANCE SAYS THE BATTLE IS NOT OVER<\/p>\n<p>The free trade agreement would be the European Union&#8217;s biggest in terms of tariff reduction, removing 4 billion euros ($4.66 billion) of duties on its exports. The Mercosur countries have high tariffs, such as 35% on car parts, 28% on dairy products and 27% on wines.<\/p>\n<p>The EU and Mercosur will hope to expand evenly split goods trade worth 111 billion euros in 2024. EU exports are dominated by machinery, chemicals and transport equipment, and Mercosur&#8217;s are focused on agricultural products, minerals, pulp and paper.<\/p>\n<p>To win over deal sceptics, the European Commission has put in place <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/eu-reaches-initial-agreement-tighter-eu-mercosur-safeguards-2025-12-17\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">safeguards<\/a> that can suspend imports of sensitive farm produce. It has strengthened import controls, notably regarding pesticide residues, established a crisis fund, <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/eu-summons-farm-ministers-secure-mercosur-deal-backing-2026-01-06\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">accelerated support<\/a> for farmers, and has pledged to <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/european-leaders-work-dispel-doubts-mercosur-trade-pact-2026-01-07\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cut import duties on fertilisers<\/a>.The concessions were not enough to win over Poland or France, but Italy shifted from a <a data-testid=\"Link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/business\/eu-reaches-initial-agreement-tighter-eu-mercosur-safeguards-2025-12-17\/\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&#8216;no&#8217; in December<\/a> to a &#8216;yes&#8217; on Friday, according to one EU diplomat.<\/p>\n<p>French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard has said the battle was not over and has pledged to fight for a rejection by the EU assembly, where the vote could be tight. European environmental groups also oppose the accord, with Friends of the Earth calling it a &#8220;climate-wrecking&#8221; deal.<\/p>\n<p>German Social Democrat Bernd Lange, the chair of parliament&#8217;s trade committee, expressed confidence that the deal would be passed, with a final vote most likely in April or May.<\/p>\n<p>($1 = 0.8587 euros)<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"SignOff\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__extra_small__8Buss body-module__full_width__kCIGb body-module__extra_small_body__Bfz20 sign-off-module__text__LQAMP\">Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop, additional reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout and Alan Charlish<br \/>\nEditing by Gareth Jones and Toby Chopra<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"Body\" dir=\"ltr\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__regular__qJJtA text-module__small__sph8i body-module__base__o--Cl body-module__small_body__gOmDf article-body-module__element__5eCce article-body-module__trust-badge__5mS3f\">Our Standards: <a data-testid=\"Link\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thomsonreuters.com\/en\/about-us\/trust-principles.html\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"text-module__text__0GDob text-module__dark-grey__UFC18 text-module__medium__2Rl30 text-module__small__sph8i link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC link-module__with-icon__qlg76\">The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.reutersagency.com\/en\/licensereuterscontent\/?utm_medium=rcom-article-media&amp;utm_campaign=rcom-rcp-lead\" target=\"_blank\" dir=\"ltr\" class=\"button-module__link__A3sD0 button-module__secondary__70gBu button-module__round__QDFgq button-module__w_auto__Sem-F\" data-testid=\"LicenceContentButton\" rel=\"noopener\">Purchase Licensing Rights<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Deal aims to offset U.S. tariffs, reduce reliance on China France opposes deal due to impact on domestic&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":684521,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5174],"tags":[202120,124884,44689,207219,202415,202696,84749,18648,207220,81850,168726,168721,201812,168727,202337,201806,201816,168724,168731,201809,201814,202338,201807,202336,202340,202339,202341,202126,202702,202037,202038,202992,201810,168728,168722,168734,201808,168723,201815,201813,202335,168729,168732,120873,84738,202334,12920,124890,206942,2000,84751,299,5187,1699,84752,352,3671,202121,202122,99594,124880,124881,3673,3273,4505,84740,168714,84742,202040,207225,207221,124882,207227,202125,207222,207223,84744,207217,202117,207218,84729,204963,207224,207226,84750],"class_list":{"0":"post-684520","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-eu","8":"tag-agri","9":"tag-amers","10":"tag-ar","11":"tag-beefar","12":"tag-br","13":"tag-bru","14":"tag-ceeu","15":"tag-com","16":"tag-cttl","17":"tag-de","18":"tag-destabn","19":"tag-destabx","20":"tag-destafa","21":"tag-destbnx","22":"tag-destc","23":"tag-destcsa","24":"tag-destd","25":"tag-deste","26":"tag-destfun","27":"tag-destg","28":"tag-destgns","29":"tag-destgro","30":"tag-destlby","31":"tag-destm","32":"tag-destmtl","33":"tag-desto","34":"tag-destoil","35":"tag-destortao","36":"tag-destoukbsm","37":"tag-destouktpm","38":"tag-destouswdm","39":"tag-destpcm","40":"tag-destpge","41":"tag-destpsc","42":"tag-destrast","43":"tag-destrbn","44":"tag-destreulb","45":"tag-destrnp","46":"tag-destrws","47":"tag-destrwsa","48":"tag-destsof","49":"tag-destu","50":"tag-destucdptest","51":"tag-dip","52":"tag-eco","53":"tag-eeu","54":"tag-emea","55":"tag-emrg","56":"tag-es","57":"tag-eu","58":"tag-europ","59":"tag-europe","60":"tag-european","61":"tag-european-union","62":"tag-ezc","63":"tag-farm","64":"tag-fin","65":"tag-fobe","66":"tag-fotb","67":"tag-fr","68":"tag-gen","69":"tag-intag","70":"tag-it","71":"tag-latam","72":"tag-liv","73":"tag-mce","74":"tag-ncyc","75":"tag-news1","76":"tag-packageworld-news","77":"tag-pl","78":"tag-pltry","79":"tag-pol","80":"tag-py","81":"tag-samer","82":"tag-sfts","83":"tag-sug","84":"tag-topcmb","85":"tag-topicbusiness-tariffs","86":"tag-topicmarkets-commodities-agriculture","87":"tag-topicmarkets-commodities-livestock","88":"tag-topnws","89":"tag-trd","90":"tag-trf","91":"tag-uy","92":"tag-weu"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation 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