{"id":2540845,"date":"2026-01-17T14:12:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T19:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/european-union-and-mercosur-bloc-of-south-american-nations-sign-landmark-free-trade-agreement\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T14:15:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T19:15:25","slug":"european-union-and-mercosur-bloc-of-south-american-nations-sign-landmark-free-trade-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/european-union-and-mercosur-bloc-of-south-american-nations-sign-landmark-free-trade-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"European Union and Mercosur bloc of South American nations sign landmark free trade agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feuropean-union-and-mercosur-bloc-of-south-american-nations-sign-landmark-free-trade-agreement%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2540845&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American nations formally signed a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >long-awaited <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/under-trump-americans-have-seen-their-best-wage-growth-in-40-years\/\" title=\"Under Trump, Americans Have Seen Their Best Wage Growth In 40 Years\">free trade<\/a> agreement<\/a> in Asunci\u00f3n, paraguay, ending more than 25 years of negotiations. Leaders and ministers from Argentina, uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil attended, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the pact a major geopolitical victory that favors fair trade over protectionism.<\/p>\n<p>The deal would create one of the world&#8217;s largest free trade zones,affecting more than 700 million consumers by eliminating over 90% of tariffs on goods and services-though some duties will be phased out over 10-15 years and sensitive products like beef will be subject to strict quotas and safeguard measures. Generous EU subsidies and protections helped secure backing from some countries (notably Italy), while France remains opposed, citing political risks for farmers.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement still requires ratification by the European Parliament, where strong agricultural lobbying and public protests could block implementation. the signing also signals intensified competition for influence in south America among the EU, the United States and china.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">European Union and Mercosur bloc of South American nations sign landmark free trade agreement<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2475633\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>ASUNCI&Oacute;N, Paraguay (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/argentina-mercosur-european-union-trade-lula-milei-trump-china-c61f55cd655fd8695f3edcd6ee5a5b9e\">landmark free trade agreement<\/a>&nbsp;on Saturday, capping more than a quarter-century of torturous negotiations to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world.<\/p>\n<p>The signing ceremony in Paraguay&rsquo;s humid capital of Asunci&oacute;n marks a major geopolitical victory for the EU in an age of American tariffs and surging Chinese exports, expanding the bloc&rsquo;s foothold in a resource-rich region&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/china-latin-trade-tariffs-us-jinping-de2a3faa01ce6e98617cbecd74658c34\">increasingly contested<\/a>&nbsp;by Washington and Beijing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4422936\/spanish-animal-rituals-honoring-st-anthony\/\">Horses leap through flames and pets go to church in Spanish animal rituals honoring St Anthony<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4422656\/iran-state-tv-issues-trump-assassination-threat\/\">Iran state TV issues Trump assassination threat featuring Butler shooting footage: &#8216;This time it won&#8217;t miss&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4422145\/maria-corina-machado-prioritizes-democracy-prisoner-release-over-presidential-ambitions\/\">Machado prioritizes democracy and prisoner release over presidential ambitions: &#8216;This is not about me&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4422911\/trump-regime-change-iran-ayatollah-president-guilty-slander-sedition\/\">TRUMP PUSHES REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN AFTER AYATOLLAH DECLARES PRESIDENT &lsquo;GUILTY&rsquo; OF &lsquo;SLANDER&rsquo; AND &lsquo;SEDITION&rsquo;<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It also sends a message that South America keeps diverse trade and diplomatic relations even as U.S. President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/monroe-doctrine-venezuela-trump-western-hemisphere-maduro-e5581d71ea15f2fb02461e74ac6b08ca\">declares dominance in the Western Hemisphere<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who head&rsquo;s the EU&rsquo;s executive branch, said &ldquo;the geopolitical importance of this agreement cannot be overstated&rdquo; amid revived skepticism about the benefits of free trade. As the ceremony got underway, Trump&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/denmark-greenland-us-trump-4ad99ea3975a8b62d37bd04961feda55\">announced 10% tariffs<\/a>&nbsp;on eight European nations over their opposition to American control of Greenland.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We choose fair trade over tariffs. We choose a productive long-term partnership over isolation,&rdquo; von der Leyen declared at the ceremony attended by the presidents of Mercosur members Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and by the foreign minister of the trading bloc&rsquo;s biggest economy, Brazil.<a><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We will join forces like never before, because we believe that this is the best way to make our people and our countries prosper.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/in_focus\/4422310\/in-world-of-doomscrolling-accurate-headlines-more-crucial-than-ever\/\">JOE CONCHA: IN A WORLD OF DOOMSCROLLING, ACCURATE HEADLINES ARE MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Pushed by South America&rsquo;s renowned cattle-raising countries and Europe&rsquo;s industrial sectors craving new markets for cars and machines, the accord creates one of the world&rsquo;s largest free trade zones and makes shopping cheaper for more than 700 million consumers.<\/p>\n<p>After decades of delay, the politically explosive deal still must clear one final hurdle: ratification by the European Parliament.<\/p>\n<p>Powerful protectionist lobbies on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly European farmers scared of the possible dumping of cheap South American agricultural imports, have long sought to scupper the agreement. Tractor drivers clogged the streets in outrage across the continent in recent weeks and could still stall the deal&rsquo;s implementation.<\/p>\n<p>Although the accord eliminates more than 90% tariffs on goods and services between the European and Mercosur markets, some tariffs will progressively be cut over 10-15 years and key farm products like beef will be limited by strict quotas in a bid to assuage European farmers&rsquo; fears.<\/p>\n<p>Those limits, as well as safeguard measures and generous EU subsidies to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/even-with-un-deal-ukraine-faces-long-haul-to-shift-grain-mountain\/\" title=\"Even with UN deal, Ukraine faces long haul to shift grain mountain\">cash-strapped farmers<\/a>, pushed agricultural powerhouse Italy across the line earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/4421495\/pennsylvania-dairy-farmers-celebrate-whole-milk-act\/\">SALENA ZITO: PENNSYLVANIA DAIRY FARMERS CELEBRATE THE WHOLE MILK ACT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>France, however, remains opposed to the accord, with President Emmanuel Macron worrying that farmers&rsquo; frustration with the EU could drive more voters to the country&rsquo;s far right in the 2027 presidential election.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Everything will depend on the political appetite of the European Parliament,&rdquo; said Jo&atilde;o Paulo Cavalcanti, a Brazilian lawyer specializing in international trade. &ldquo;That could clearly create an obstacle to approval.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EU, Mercosur ink historic free-trade deal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":2540846,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25246430199339.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[71277,32233,71278,38812,71279],"class_list":["post-2540845","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-eu-mercosur","tag-european-union","tag-free-trade-agreement","tag-international-trade","tag-mercosur"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/AP25246430199339.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2540845","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2540845"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2540845\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2540849,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2540845\/revisions\/2540849"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2540846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2540845"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2540845"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2540845"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}