EU-Mercosur deal signature postponed till January

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said on Thursday that the signing of the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which was scheduled for this Saturday in Brazil, will finally be postponed until January 2026.  This decision was made by European leaders gathered in Brussels after they failed to reach a qualified majority to move forward. Opposition to the signing is being led by Italy and France, as the two countries are looking for more guarantees for their farmers amid fears that they will be undercut by South American products.  We have reached out to our Mercosur partners and agreed to postpone slightly the signature. This deal is crucially important for Europe – economically, diplomatically, and geopolitically.It opens new trade and economic opportunities for all our Member States. With… pic.twitter.com/wqNesX4giH— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 19, 2025 In a post on X announcing the decision, Van der Leyen called the deal “crucially important for Europe” and looked to quell concerns voiced from the agricultural sector.  “With additional checks and safeguards, we have built in all necessary protections for our farmers and our consumers,” her statement read. She offered no additional details as to why the signature was being delayed. French President Emmanuel Macron also released a statement in the face of the postponement, calling the current text of the deal “unacceptable.” He also listed the demands he intends to “keep fighting” for. “Solid guarantees, reciprocity, controls, and access for our farmers,” he tweeted.  Je l’ai dit à Bruxelles : sur l’accord UE-Mercosur, le texte n’est pas acceptable.Nous avons obtenu un report.Sauvegarde robuste, réciprocité, contrôles et revenu de nos agriculteurs : nous allons continuer de nous battre pour faire respecter ces exigences de bon sens. pic.twitter.com/vjHCQPR23n— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 19, 2025 Although France’s opposition to the deal was well known, it was Italy’s last-minute change of heart that solidified opposition to the deal. Speaking to the press, Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni attempted to clarify her stance, saying that her country was ready to sign the agreement as soon as the “necessary answers” are provided to farmers.  The European leader summit took place against the backdrop of massive protests carried out by farmers on the streets of Brussels. According to media outlet France 24, at least 7,000 protestors lit fires, set off fire crackers, and threw potatoes and debris and police cordoning off the area. The possibility of a postponement was initially met with frustration in South America, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva leading the charge. After news broke that Italy was joining France in its opposition to the deal, Lula said that the agreement would be nixed if it wasn’t signed this weekend.  “I’ve already warned them. If this is not done now, it won’t happen while I’m president,” Lula told a cabinet meeting. His tone, however, seemed to soften on Thursday after speaking to Meloni. “[She] told me that if we are patient for a week, ten days, or a month, Italy will be on board with the agreement,” Lula said.