Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday said an EU failure to seal a landmark trade deal with South America’s Mercosur this week would be “very frustrating” as France and Italy pushed for a delay.
The European Commission had expected member states to approve the agreement, which would create the world’s largest free-trade area, before EU chief Ursula von der Leyen travels to Brazil on Saturday to sign it.
The EU is attempting to diversify trade and diplomatic ties in the face of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and fierce Chinese competition.
“I think it would be very frustrating if Europe didn’t reach an agreement with Mercosur,” after the European Parliament approved extra safeguards for agriculture, Sanchez added.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned on Wednesday that it was now or never to get the deal over the line. (AFP)
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