
A qualified majority of European Union (EU) member states voted Friday to approve the landmark Free Trade Agreement with the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). The decision marks a historic geopolitical shift, positioning the EU to counter rising US tariffs and Chinese competition, even as it ignites a firestorm of domestic unrest in France.

The feasibility of the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Southern Common (Market) and the European Union (EU) seems to be just hours away from its all-or-nothing hour, as France, Poland, Hungary, and Ireland have confirmed they would vote against it.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued a sharp ultimatum to European leaders on Wednesday, declaring that if the long-awaited EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is not signed this Saturday, he will abandon negotiations for the remainder of his presidency.

The French National Assembly voted unanimously on Thursday to reject the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), sending a strong, non-binding message to President Emmanuel Macron to withhold his approval.

Uruguay’s Economy Minister Gabriel Oddone said Tuesday in Madrid that he was strongly confident that the long-delayed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) will be signed shortly. Additionally, he voiced his concerns over the escalating military tensions in the Caribbean.

France has once again cast a negative note on the proposed Free Trade Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard stated emphatically that her country would not sign a deal that condemns its farmers.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva rang European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday to congratulate her on sending the Free Trade Agreement between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the European Union (EU) to the European Parliament for a vote.

The European Commission has validated the free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin confirmed on Wednesday, calling it “excellent news” for his country.

Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi will travel in October to Rome, Madrid, and Brussels for an official tour that will include meetings with Pope Leo XIV, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and King Felipe VI.

Despite some alignment on climate issues, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's state visit to Paris on Thursday was marked by tensions over trade, Ukraine, and Gaza. Lula urged French President Emmanuel Macron to support the Mercosur-EU trade agreement, emphasizing it as a response to rising protectionism. French farmers called on Macron on Wednesday to reiterate their “firm” rejection.