BRUSSELS, Belgium, Dec 19, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The EU is hoping to get a trade 
deal with South American bloc Mercosur officially signed on January 12, 
diplomatic sources said after plans to seal the pact this week fell through.

More than 25 years in the making, Brussels had initially looked to ink the 
accord to create the world's biggest free-trade area with Brazil, Paraguay, 
Argentina and Uruguay on Saturday.

But the plan ran into a late roadblock as heavyweights Italy and France 
demanded a delay over concerns for the farming sector.

That forced the European Commission to announce a postponement as European 
leaders met in Brussels on Thursday.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said following the Brussels summit she was 
confident there would be a "sufficient majority" among the EU's 27 countries 
to approve the deal next month.

Several diplomats told AFP on Friday the EU was now working towards a 
signature on January 12 in Paraguay, which is set to take over leadership of 
Mercosur from Brazil in 2026.

The deal would help the European Union export more vehicles, machinery, wines 
and spirits to Latin America at a time of global trade tensions.

In return, it would facilitate the entry into Europe of South American meat, 
sugar, rice, honey and soybeans.

This has alarmed many European farmers who fear they will be undercut by a 
flow of cheaper goods from agricultural giant Brazil and its neighbours. 
Thousands of farmers flooded the Belgian capital in protest on Thursday.

Italy and France have called for tougher safeguard clauses, tighter import 
controls and more stringent standards on Mercosur producers to protect their 
farmers.

While Paris has long been sceptical about the agreement, Rome has said it 
would be ready to sign it within a short time frame were its concerns to be 
allayed.