BRUSSELS — In a decisive political breakthrough, the European Union has secured Italy’s pivotal endorsement for its landmark free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, overcoming decades of negotiations and significant internal opposition. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, previously viewed as the swing vote, announced her support following assurances that protected Italian agricultural interests, particularly safeguarding the nation’s premium food products from unfair competition.
The agreement, negotiated over 25 years with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia, establishes one of the world’s largest free trade zones encompassing approximately 780 million people and representing a quarter of global GDP. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the development as a powerful demonstration of EU economic sovereignty amid an increasingly transactional global landscape, announcing plans to travel to Paraguay for upcoming Mercosur meetings.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz characterized the pact as a milestone in European trade policy that enhances strategic autonomy. The deal provides Brussels with a significant diplomatic victory at a time of global economic uncertainty, creating a counterweight to American protectionist tendencies and Chinese export controls. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva celebrated the agreement as a triumph for multilateralism during an era of growing protectionism.
Despite this progress, substantial opposition persists. France, Poland, Austria, Hungary, and Ireland voted against the agreement, citing concerns about agricultural sector vulnerabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that while safeguards had been incorporated—including emergency import brakes and mirrored food safety regulations—the economic benefits remained insufficient to justify risks to EU farmers. Environmental groups additionally condemned the pact, warning it would accelerate Amazon deforestation and undermine climate objectives.