Italy and France Call for Delay in EU Vote on Mercosur Trade Deal
Brussels, The Gulf Observers: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron have agreed on the need to delay a final European Union vote on the Mercosur trade agreement, according to media reports citing two sources familiar with the discussions.
France has been seeking to rally support among EU member states to form a blocking minority against the trade deal, which was negotiated by the European Commission. Paris has raised concerns over the agreement’s potential impact on European farmers and environmental standards.
A vote on the Mercosur deal had been expected to take place in Brussels this week. However, the reported position of Italy and France suggests that further consultations among EU members may be required before moving forward with a final decision.
The Mercosur agreement, involving Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, has long been a subject of debate within the EU, reflecting differing national interests and concerns over trade, agriculture and sustainability.
