The blockages on the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur are history. This was the assurance given by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to the European Council on Thursday 23 October. According to him, “there is no longer any debate among the Member States”, who are now “unanimous” in their support for the agreement. He stated that the EU Council should give the green light before the end of the year, even citing 19 December as the date for signing.
France, which has long opposed the agreement, appears to be in a position to lift its veto. The Commission’s announcements on the new safeguard mechanism, support for French farmers and reinforced customs controls are “a step in the right direction”, according to French President Emmanuel Macron. “The Commission has honoured the commitments it made to us”, he insisted.
He added that the French government still had to adopt its final position in the coming weeks. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)