PREVIEW

Farmers Blocked Brussels Roads in Protest Against EU-Mercosur Trade Deal. Thousands of farmers blocked roads in Brussels with tractors as EU leaders met to debate the EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement. Police used tear gas and water cannon after protesters hurled potatoes and eggs near the Europa building and the European Parliament. Farmers said the deal would unfairly expose EU agriculture to imports from Mercosur countries that did not follow the same environmental and production rules. The agreement aimed to remove tariffs on most goods traded between the EU and five South American countries over 15 years, but resistance continued to grow. France and Italy emerged as key opponents, with President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni saying the accord was premature without stronger safeguards. Macron said further negotiations were needed, while Italy’s stance gave France enough support to potentially block the deal at EU level. Supporters, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warned that delaying the pact would weaken the EU’s global trade credibility. Despite the protests and likely postponement, EU leaders were still scheduled to sign the agreement in Brazil, highlighting deep divisions within the bloc.
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