"EU ambassadors gave provisional approval on Friday to the signing of the bloc's largest ever free trade accord with South American group Mercosur, over 25 years since negotiations began and after months of wrangling to secure key member states' backing, according to three EU diplomats and sources. The European Commission, which concluded negotiations a year ago, and countries such as Germany and Spain argue it is a vital part of an EU push"
"Opponents led by France, the European Union'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. Ambassadors from the EU's 27 member states indicated their governments' positions on Friday with at least 15 countries representing 65% of the bloc's total population voting in favour, as required for approval, the EU so"
EU ambassadors indicated provisional approval for signing the Mercosur free trade accord after more than 25 years of talks and months of internal wrangling. The European Commission and countries including Germany and Spain present the deal as a strategic move to open markets, offset U.S. tariffs and reduce reliance on China for critical minerals. France and other opponents warn of surging imports of cheap beef, poultry and sugar that could undercut domestic farmers. Farmers staged protests across multiple member states. The accord still requires formal written confirmation by capitals and European Parliament approval, with safeguards proposed for agriculture.
Read at Irish Independent
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