Italy may not support EU-Mercosur free trade deal without changes

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrives at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. Photo by Maryam Majd /APArticle contentBRUSSELS (AP) — Italy signaled on Wednesday that it might not support a massive transatlantic free trade deal between the European Union and South American countries, casting further doubt on the agreement as European leaders gather for a summit in Brussels and farmers enraged by the trade pact descend on the capital.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentPremier Giorgia Meloni told Italian parliament on Wednesday that signing the deal between the EU and the five active Mercosur countries — Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia — would depend on key changes to the accord.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentMeloni said that signing the agreement in the coming days “would be premature.” She called for a package of measures to protect Italian farmers before she can approve the deal.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“This doesn’t mean that Italy intends to block or oppose (the deal), but that it intends to approve the agreement only when it includes adequate reciprocal guarantees for our agricultural sector.”Article contentEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is determined to sign the agreement, but needs the backing of at least two-thirds of EU nations. Italy’s opposition increases the possibility of France finding enough allies to veto her signature.Article contentWorried by a surging far right that rallies support by criticizing the deal, the French have demanded safeguards to monitor and stop large economic disruption in the EU, increased regulations in the Mercosur nations like pesticide restrictions, and more inspections of imports at EU ports.Article contentDespite the looming delay, which analysts say could lead to a sinking of the pact, von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are still scheduled to sign the deal in Brazil on Saturday.Article contentArticle contentThe trade deal has been under negotiation for 25 years. If ratified, it would cover a market of 780 million people and a quarter of the globe’s gross domestic product.Article contentGerman Chancellor Friedrich Merz told lawmakers in Berlin that he was still advocating for von der Leyen and Costa to sign the deal.Article content“The European Union’s ability to act can also be measured by whether, after 26 years of negotiations, we are finally in a position to bring this trade agreement to a conclusion, and so also get the negotiated trade agreements with Mexico and Indonesia on the road quickly,” he said.Article contentHe said that those “moaning about details of big trade agreements that we as Europeans want to conclude with major economic areas in the world … still haven’t really understood the priorities we must now set.”Article contentThe summit in Brussels will largely focus on financing Ukraine in its war against Russia’s invasion, but the EU-Mercosur deal is a priority for some of the 27 EU leaders.Article contentFarmers from Greece to Poland have said they will descend on Brussels, some on tractors, to protest the deal, which they fear will undercut their livelihoods.Article content___Article contentAssociated Press writers Colleen Barry in Rome and Geir Moulson in Berlin contributed to this report.Article contentTrending Is a $2.75 million portfolio enough for Halifax empty nesters to retire early?

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