Building on December's agricultural safeguards amid opposition from France and others, EU states approved the long-stalled Mercosur trade deal in Brussels on Friday, despite farmer protests. The pact protects European designations like Champagne and Feta, includes quotas and emergency brakes for EU agriculture, and strengthens Europe's geopolitical stance in Latin America after 25 years of talks.
EU member states greenlit the landmark trade agreement with Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay) in Brussels, advancing past the safeguards compromise reached in Strasbourg last December. Those measures—covering beef, poultry, ethanol and more, with triggers for import surges—addressed fears of cheap South American imports flooding the market.
Farmer protests persisted, with blockades and clashes in capitals, but the deal includes robust protections: geographical indications for products like Champagne, Feta, and Parmesan now extend to Mercosur markets, alongside quotas and emergency mechanisms.
The agreement opens markets for over 700 million people, diversifies EU supply chains, and counters China's growing influence in Latin America amid US protectionism. It signals Europe's commitment to open trade while prioritizing domestic agriculture, overcoming years of lobbying resistance.
