Overview
- EU member state ambassadors in Coreper granted preliminary majority approval to the EU–Mercosur accord, advancing it toward signature and provisional application.
- Italy’s backing followed agricultural assurances that include an early release of €45 billion for the Common Agricultural Policy and temporary relief on fertiliser costs under CBAM.
- Ambassadors agreed to lower the trigger for bilateral agricultural safeguards from 8 percent to 5 percent to enable faster investigations on sensitive products.
- France voted no alongside Poland, Ireland, Austria and Hungary, Belgium abstained, and farmer protests escalated in Paris, Milan and several regions of Spain.
- A written confirmation was due Friday to clear the way for a Jan. 12 signing in Paraguay by Ursula von der Leyen, with final ratification left to the European Parliament.