EU Delays Mercosur Trade Deal Amid Farmer Protests, French & Italian Opposition

• The EU has postponed the signing of the EU-Mercosur free-trade deal until January, after 26 years of negotiations.
• The delay follows widespread farmer protests in France and Italy, and political opposition from both nations.
• Farmers fear the deal would harm their livelihoods; protests in Brussels involved tear gas and water cannons.
• French President Macron and Italian Premier Meloni demanded safeguards for their agricultural sectors.
• The deal, covering 780 million people, is seen as geopolitically crucial, but its delay could impact EU's global trade credibility.

Why It Matters: Farmer protests and political opposition force EU to delay major Mercosur trade deal.