economy

January 17, 2026

EU, Mercosur sign free trade agreement, which provoked protests

According to European Commissioner for Trade and Interinstitutional Relations Maros Sefcovic, this agreement will create one of the largest free trade zones in the world, with over 700,000 people living in its territory

EU, Mercosur sign free trade agreement, which provoked protests

TL;DR

  • The EU and Mercosur have signed a free trade agreement, forming one of the world's largest free trade zones.
  • The agreement is expected to create new markets, prosperity, and jobs for Europe, with increased access to South American resources.
  • European farmers are protesting the deal, fearing that cheap agricultural imports from Latin America will undermine the EU's agricultural model.
  • Right-wing factions in the European Parliament, such as France's The Patriots, support the farmers and have initiated a vote of no confidence against the head of the European Commission.
  • MEPs also plan to request an EU Court of Justice review of the agreement's compliance with EU law and attempt to prevent its preliminary entry into force before parliamentary ratification.

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