EU fast-tracks trade deal with South America's Mercosur, to France's chagrin - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivwFBVV95cUxPMVgwZTYzUDAxSGZkcl9ETWhQRXY1VjFwXzlLNHEwU3VMMGYwOEgzemZ6UEpQc0NqbDRITWVBMldlTVRUcXdocVBmSXJ4UDNNdzBKYUxjN2RMQm9sckZGZlNvamxiekVMemw1ZFdhaFBmak9oQ2NDTklDWlM2TEtHTm5zOWtMcDdZcUxVdVJaTU5xWTdlbkdXdjFvTF9iekd2cTB5azBvMTBGaVR3RW1hMjM4bHZyQXUwaTVMdG93QQ?oc=5" target="_blank">EU fast-tracks trade deal with South America's Mercosur, to France's chagrin</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the provisional implementation of a major trade agreement between the EU and South America's Mercosur bloc, despite lacking European Parliament approval. The deal aims to form one of the world's largest free trade zones and has faced criticism from European agricultural and environmental sectors.

Uruguay and Argentina have become the first founding members of the Mercosur bloc to ratify a historic free-trade agreement with the European Union, aiming to create one of the world's largest free-trade zones. The deal had been under negotiation for 25 years and was signed on January 17, 2026.

The European Commission announced that it will provisionally implement a massive trade deal with the Mercosur bloc of nations in South America, despite pending legal reviews. The deal aims to create one of the world's largest free trade zones, covering more than 700 million people.

The European Union will implement a mammoth trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc while waiting for a top court's ruling on its legality, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Friday. The Commission's move follows Argentina and Uruguay ratifying the agreement on Thursday, with Brazil and Paraguay expected to follow soon.

The European Union is fast-tracking a contentious trade deal with South America's Mercosur bloc, aiming to create one of the world's largest free-trade zones. The deal has faced opposition from France, which argues it will harm domestic farmers by increasing imports of cheap beef, sugar, and poultry.