Teresa Ribera said the Mercosur trade deal would not harm Irish agriculture. Photograph: EPAIreland’s vote against the Mercosur trade deal was isolationist and based on unwarranted fears, the European Commission’s second most powerful politician has said. The Government opposed the deal under pressure from farmers concerned that imports of cheap Brazilian beef would damage their business – but Ms Ribera rejected that claim. Ms Ribera said this was a pity as trade agreements could build bridges between countries. Ms Ribera stressed the commission was the enforcer of EU regulations and infringements always came with the possibility of fines.

Source: The Irish Times January 28, 2026 13:02 UTC