Spain hopes EU-Mercosur deal agreed 'in coming days'

Madrid, Dec 16, 2025 (AFP)
Spain hopes the European Commission can win approval for a vast trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur "in the coming days", the agriculture minister said on Tuesday, as France pushed to derail its signing.
The Commission, backed by Europe's largest economy Germany, aims to win EU member state backing before the year's end for the agreement with the organisation made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
But France is spearheading resistance over concerns for its agricultural sector, seeking more safeguards and requesting a delay until 2026.
"Let's hope the Commission gets Mercosur through in the coming days, it is a crucial issue," Spanish Agriculture Minister Luis Planas told reporters in Madrid, including AFP.
The deal, which would create the world's largest free-trade area, would allow the EU to export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America, while facilitating the entry of South American beef, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans into Europe.
Spain's economy ministry told AFP the deal would "open significant opportunities for European companies, facilitating access to a market of 270 million consumers with solid growth prospects".

Sumber : AFP