European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen will sign the Mercosur trade deal in Paraguay on January 17, Brussels said on Sunday, January 12.
The European Union gave a long-delayed go-ahead on Friday to the huge trade pact with the South American bloc—overriding opposition led by key power France.
More than 25 years in the making, supporters see the deal as crucial to boost exports, support the continent’s ailing economy, and foster diplomatic ties at a time of global uncertainty.
But the agreement has drawn protests from farmers who fear being undercut by an influx of cheap beef and other products from South America.
With Paraguay currently holding the rotating presidency of Mercosur, Argentina’s Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno had already announced that the deal would be signed on Saturday.
