Mercosur

The European Parliament rejected a motion of censure against Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, January 22, initiated by the far right over disputes surrounding the Mercosur agreement. The motion garnered only 165 votes in favor against 390 against. The French government firmly opposes any provisional application of the treaty, calling it a 'democratic violation'.

17 de janeiro de 2026 Reportado por IA

After 26 years of negotiations since 1999, the European Union and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia) signed a landmark free trade agreement on January 17, 2026, in Asunción, Paraguay. The deal creates one of the world's largest free trade zones, spanning about 720 million people and 20% of global GDP, by eliminating tariffs on over 90% of bilateral trade and promoting sustainable development amid rising protectionism.

Following the Brussels summit postponement announced by Ursula von der Leyen, the EU now targets January 12 in Paraguay for initialing the Mercosur trade pact amid ongoing French and European farmer protests. France's Macron pushes for stronger safeguards, while Paraguay urges haste and Germany anticipates quick resolution.

19 de dezembro de 2025 Reportado por IA

Após o adiamento anunciado pela UE — como informado anteriormente —, a cúpula do Mercosur em Foz do Iguaçu terminou em 20 de dezembro sem a assinatura do pacto comercial. O Brasil passou a presidência pró-tempore ao Paraguai em meio à frustração de Lula, enquanto líderes avaliam alternativas com China, Canadá e outros. Chanceleres, incluindo o argentino Pablo Quirno, permanecem otimistas quanto a uma assinatura com a UE em breve.

Following earlier highway blockades, dozens of tractors from Coordination rurale, Confédération paysanne, and Jeunes agriculteurs blocked the A61 near Carcassonne on December 17, protesting DNC herd culling and the Mercosur deal. Demonstrators dismantled barriers and barbecued as the government ramps up vaccination for 750,000 cattle, while France and Italy resist immediate EU-Mercosur signing.

16 de dezembro de 2025 Reportado por IA

Following escalating protests, Agriculture Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced accelerated vaccination against contagious nodular dermatosis (DNC) on farms, mobilizing army veterinarians and denouncing ultra-left militants infiltrating farmer demonstrations. A new crisis meeting is set for Tuesday afternoon at Matignon.