ISDS Case Map
Mercosur
The Council presidency has killed a last-ditch effort from countries opposing the trade deal with Mercosur to prevent the agreement from kicking in provisionally before the entire ratification process is completed in Brussels.
The European Coordination Via Campesina strongly condemns the decision by a majority of EU Member States to clear the way for the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, despite widespread opposition from farmers across Europe and South America.
French farmers defied a government ban, blockading roads into Paris and several of the city’s landmarks to protest against the Mercosur trade deal the European Union is expected to sign on Friday with South American nations.
To secure Rome's backing, von der Leyen rolled out some extra budget promises on farm funding.
Italy plans to back the Mercosur free trade agreement with a South American bloc of countries, in a vote that will likely be the final major hurdle for the European Union to clinch the accord, which has been in the works for 25 years.
Farmers across Poland held coordinated protests to voice concerns about the planned EU–Mercosur trade deal and its potential impact on domestic agriculture.
The French government said it was tightening checks on several food imports in a bid to ease concerns of farmers who have been protesting at what they say is unfair competition from countries with looser regulations.
The European Commission is aiming to sign the free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries on 12 January in Paraguay, European sources said.
The European Union is delaying a massive free-trade deal with South American countries after fiery protests by farmers and last-minute opposition by France and Italy threatened to derail the pact.
Proponents argue the agreement would provide an alternative to Beijing's export controls and Washington's tariff policies. Critics warn it would weaken environmental regulations and damage the EU's agricultural sector.
