EU member states approve long-awaited South American trade deal

A qualified majority of EU countries have approved the signing of a free trade deal with the South American Mercosur countries. 

The deal follows over two decades of negotiations between the European Commission and a group of Latin American countries – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. 

Duties will gradually be eliminated for most products once the agreement comes into force but quotas will remain to protect certain competition-sensitive agricultural products such as beef, poultry and sugar.

However, EU member states don’t appear to be on the same page. According to Euronews, France, Poland, Austria, Hungary, and Ireland all voted against the agreement, while Belgium abstained.

The agreement still requires the final consent of the European Parliament.

Proponents of the Mercosur agreement, including Germany and Spain, believe it will open EU access to new markets. However, opponents, led by France, warn it risks exposing European farmers to unfair competition from cheaper Latin American agricultural imports.