European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reportedly told EU leaders on Thursday that the signing of a free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc has been postponed until January.
Von der Leyen had hoped to finalise the deal this weekend during a Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil. However, she first required the backing of a qualified majority of EU member states in Brussels, which was not secured amid opposition from France and Italy, BFMTV reported.
The agreement, concluded last December after more than 25 years of negotiations with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, requires approval from a qualified majority of EU governments. Opposition from France, Poland, and other countries has delayed the process, with leaders calling for stricter safeguards to protect domestic agriculture.
Protests erupted in Brussels on Thursday, with thousands of farmers demonstrating against the pact. Some demonstrations turned violent, prompting Belgian authorities to deploy tear gas and water cannons after protesters threw objects and damaged property.
European lawmakers recently approved measures intended to cap sensitive farm imports, including beef and sugar, but critics argue these safeguards have been weakened during negotiations between the Commission, Parliament, and Denmark, which currently holds the EU presidency.
Earlier in the day, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, telling him that Italy supports the Mercosur trade deal in principle but requires up to a month to secure domestic backing from farmers. Lula confirmed the conversation and said he would consult Mercosur partners at their upcoming summit to determine the next steps.
Supporters of the agreement, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, emphasised its strategic importance, highlighting its potential to strengthen European exports and reduce reliance on China. French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that reciprocity and robust safeguards are essential before opening European markets to South American goods.
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