The European Union is postponing the signing of a free trade deal with four Mercosur countries until January, an EU official said on Thursday.
The agreement between the EU and Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, which has been in the making for over 25 years, was scheduled to be signed at a summit in Brazil on Saturday.
The controversial free trade deal is intended to boost trade between the economic blocs, but is viewed critically by some major EU countries including France, Poland and Italy.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, however, said that her government would be ready to back to deal as soon as the European Commission delivers more reassurances to farmers.
Italy's support is required to reach the necessary majority of at least 15 of the EU's 27 states, representing 65% of the bloc's population, backing the deal and to pave the way for its signing.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Cathay Pacific raises fuel surcharge on all flights by 34% - 2Hamas propaganda expert explains Israel's internal conflicts influenced Hamas's Oct. 7 assault
- 3Qatar, Ireland accuse Israel of using chemical weapons on Palestinians, demand watchdog probe use
- 4People Are Sharing The One Picture They Can't See Without Laughing, And It's The Comedy Spiral You Need Today
- 5Rocket Lab launches mystery satellite for 'confidential commercial customer' (video)
- Audits of 6 Specialty Mixed drinks
- Find Wonderful Stream Voyage Objections On the planet
- I was about to film a movie with Glen Powell when my hair started falling out in clumps. Alopecia has made me unrecognizable as an actor.
- 2026 will be the year NASA astronauts fly around the moon again — if all goes to plan
- Tremendous Spelunking: Cool Caverns All over the Planet
- Living Abroad: Social Inundation and Self-improvement
- Storm Goretti sweeps United Kingdom, France with winds over 120 mph
- These 2 moon rovers used cameras and lasers to hunt for simulated water ice — and one looks like WALL-E
- Heartfelt Objections to Visit with Your Adored One
