Germany and France clash over Mercosur trade deal as EU unity is tested

Germany and France are in conflict over a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Germany supports the deal, while France opposes it, fearing it will harm its farmers. Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, traveled to Montevideo to advance the agreement, angering French leaders. France's repeated vetoes have led some in Germany to question the EU's trade authority. The situation is complicated by a political crisis in France, where President Emmanuel Macron continues to reject the deal. This discord raises concerns about the unity of the EU, as Germany may pursue its own trade policy.