EU fast-tracks trade deal with South America's Mercosur, to France's chagrin - Reuters
EU fast-tracks trade deal with South America's Mercosur, to France's chagrin Reuters
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Notable Quotes
"When they are ready, we are ready."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"For France, it’s a surprise. A bad surprise."
— Emmanuel Macron , Politician
"Companies & people from both continents can finally benefit from more prosperity & growth."
— Johann Wadephul , Politician
"In an increasingly uncertain world, Europe cannot afford to fall behind."
— Carlos Cuerpo , Politician
"Uruguay has sent a strong message to the United States, Mercosur and Europe: that we have waited 25 years, but we are not willing to wait a single second longer."
— Juan Martín Rodríguez , Politician
"the EU would act once at least one Mercosur nation ratified the deal."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"I've said before, when they are ready, we are ready."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"Provisional application is by its nature provisional."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"The agreement can only be fully concluded once the European Parliament has given its consent."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"Mercosur is one of the most consequential trade agreements of the first half of this century."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"The commission will now proceed with provisional application."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
"It was very damaging to the functioning of our institutions and, above all, to the spirit of our European institutions."
— Annie Genevard , Politician
"The commission is sending a disastrous signal to our farmers, who are already struggling."
— Celine Imart , Politician
"For France, it’s a surprise, a bad surprise, and for the European Parliament, it’s disrespectful."
— Emmanuel Macron , Politician
"I’ve said before, when they are ready, we are ready."
— Ursula von der Leyen , Politician
Key People
Annie Genevard is the French Minister of Agriculture.
Spain's economy minister.
Celine Imart is a French EU lawmaker.
Emmanuel Macron is the President of France.
Johann Wadephul is Germany's Foreign Minister.
Juan Martín Rodríguez is a Congressman from Uruguay.
Mario Lubetkin is the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay.
Robert Golob is the Prime Minister of Slovenia.
Ursula von der Leyen is the president of the European Commission.
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<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> <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.
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