BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The EU gave a long-delayed go-ahead Friday to a huge trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur championed by business groups but loathed by many European farmers -- overriding opposition led by key power France. And Paraguay's foreign minister, one of the four founding members of Mercosur, along with Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, defended the deal as "balanced". - 'Economic clout' -The deal will create a vast market of more than 700 million people, making it one of the world's largest free trade areas. "The conclusion of the EU-Mercosur trade deal is great news for Europe's global geopolitical and economic clout," she said. With the deal still requiring approval from the European Parliament, France has warned against any attempt to bring it into force before then.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 10, 2026 03:10 UTC