European Union member states have backed plans to seal a long-negotiated trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc in South America, a deal discussed for roughly 25 years. Italy’s support was highlighted as important for moving the agreement forward. Supporters frame the pact as a pro-trade signal and a chance for businesses on both sides to expand cross-Atlantic commerce, while critics warn about competitive pressure on European agriculture and concerns about environmental protections.

Highlights:

• Farm roadblocks: Farmer protests disrupted traffic in several capitals, with road blockades reported in Paris, Brussels and Warsaw as backlash emerged immediately after member-state backing.
• Commission assurances: The European Commission said it had listened to farmers’ concerns while advancing the agreement, aiming to address domestic political resistance alongside market-opening goals.
• Bloc scope: The deal pairs the EU with Mercosur members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, creating a large integrated market that proponents say could deepen commercial ties across the Atlantic.
• Italy’s role: Italy was described as giving crucial support to the EU’s push to conclude the agreement, helping build momentum among member states to finalize the pact.
• Geopolitical contrast: One account framed the agreement as a renewed bet on global cooperation in trade, contrasting it with a more coercive posture in some U.S. dealings with other countries.

Perspectives:

• European Commission: The Commission presented the agreement as advancing trade while incorporating steps it says respond to farmers’ concerns. (BBC News)
• European farmers: Farm groups signaled opposition by organizing road blockades and protests in multiple countries, arguing the deal could undercut them. (The Guardian)
• Italian government: Italy positioned itself as a key supporter of concluding the EU-Mercosur agreement, helping tip the internal EU balance toward approval. (ABC News)
• Environmental critics: Environmentalists were cited among groups raising concerns about the agreement’s implications and safeguards. (The Guardian)

Sources:

• Italy backs historic EU-Mercosur trade deal after 25 years of negotiations - seattletimes.com
• Italy gives key support to fraught EU trade deal with South American nations - abcnews.go.com
• EU states back controversial Mercosur deal with Latin American countries - theguardian.com
• EU reaches South America trade deal after 25 years of talks - bbc.com
• E.U. and South America to Form Free-Trade Zone With 700 Million People - reddit.com