EU and Mercosur near final agreement on trade deal after two decades of talks

The European Union and Mercosur are set to finalize a free trade agreement after over 20 years of negotiations. A political agreement is expected to be announced on Friday in Montevideo, Uruguay, despite strong opposition from France. French President Emmanuel Macron's government recently collapsed, intensifying criticism of the deal. European farmers and several EU countries, including Italy and Poland, have expressed concerns about potential impacts on local agriculture and environmental standards. Supporters, including Germany and Spain, argue the deal is essential for diversifying trade and accessing South American markets. Approval requires backing from 15 of the 27 EU members and a majority in the European Parliament.