Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, is considering a trip to Uruguay to potentially sign a significant trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc, which consists of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Uruguay. This deal, under negotiation for 25 years, aims to remove trade barriers and boost economic exchange.
However, opposition from some EU countries, such as France and Poland, concerns over unfair competition for local farmers, and environmental issues like deforestation and animal welfare standards have hindered progress. While a majority of EU nations support the agreement, including Germany, which sees it as an opportunity to bolster its auto industry, countries like the Netherlands remain undecided.
The outcome of ongoing negotiations to address these objections could determine whether Von der Leyen proceeds with the signing, potentially concluding decades of discussions.
Source: NOS