Europe's Autonomy Bid Falters: Mercosur Deal Delayed Amid Domestic Resistance

• The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, meant to be Europe's largest, has been repeatedly postponed, undermining its goal of strategic autonomy.
• Domestic resistance, particularly from Italy and farmer protests, over fears of cheaper South American imports, caused the latest delay.
• The deal was crucial for Europe to diversify supply chains, create a large market, and assert independence from US and China influence.
• Delays risk reputational damage for Brussels, push Mercosur countries to seek other partners, and weaken Europe's global negotiating stance.
• Europe's consensus-driven approach and internal divisions are proving costly in a global order increasingly shaped by transactional politics.

Why It Matters: Europe's internal divisions and domestic politics are hindering its global economic autonomy ambitions.