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Peggy Corlin

Europe News

The Commission adds concessions for Paris and Rome to lock Mercosur

From early cash to relaxing duties, the Commission makes tailor-made overtures for France and Italy as Mercosur trade deal enters final stretch. Rome signals it is open to signing it, Paris remains cautious in heated domestic debate with more protests planned this week from farmers.

Economy

Italy seeks carbon border tax freeze, raising stakes for Mercosur

Rome’s backing for the Mercosur deal is still not guaranteed, even after the Commission offered earlier funding for farmers. Rome is now calling for the EU's carbon tax to be lifted. Mercosur signature may still be delayed.

Economy

Mercosur deal: Von der Leyen pledges early funding for EU farmers

The Commission has offered early access to €45 billion of fuding under the next Common Agricultural Policy budget as soon as 2028 to appease farmers. While France’s backing for the Mercosur deal remains highly uncertain, all eyes are on Italy. Prime Minister Meloni welcomed the proposal.

Economy

EU agriculture ministers to hold crucial talks ahead of Mercosur vote

With the European Commission expected to offer assurances to opponents worried about their farmers, the EU’s 27 ministers will meet on Wednesday for a “political” discussion before an expected vote on the pivotal trade deal on Friday.

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Europe News

In 2025, global trade cracked under tariffs and new China shock

Hit by US tariffs and Chinese weaponisation of critical goods, the EU became squeezed by the aggressive trade agenda of the world’s two largest economies. Brussels now ponders new alliances and new markets.

Europe News

Mercosur signature delayed to January after Meloni asks for more time

The European Commission announced it will delay the signing of the Mercosur trade agreement until the new year after Meloni asked for more time. No date has been set. Backers hope deal won't be further derailed.

Europe News

Signing Mercosur deal is now 'imperative', Commissioner Hoekstra says

In an exclusive interview, European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra said signing the Mercosur trade agreement is essential. Rome and Paris, however, are seeking to delay a crucial vote that could push or kill the deal.

Europe News

Italy's Meloni pours cold water on 'premature' EU-Mercosur agreement

Italy's position is pivotal, as France, Hungary, Poland, and Austria oppose the deal, which requires the approval of a qualified majority for the EU executive chief Ursula von der Leyen to sign it.

Europe News

EU Parliament and member states set to clash over Mercosur safeguards

The European Parliament has confirmed a contentious "reciprocity clause" that could derail the EU-Mercosur trade deal, and member states are expected to push back on it in upcoming negotiations.

Europe News

Farmers must not be sacrificed, lawmaker says on Mercosur

The EU’s South American trade deal risks becoming another blow to European farmers as Brussels moves to cut agricultural spending, Green MEP Thomas Waitz warned. The deal has entered a crucial week in Strasbourg and Brussels.

Europe News

All eyes on Italy as Mercosur deal hangs in the balance

Rome is torn between protecting farmers and maintaining exports to Mercosur countries. But supporters of the Mercosur agreement fear its silence signals Italy may not be on board.

Europe News

European Commission turns up pressure on France over Mercosur deal

France wants to delay member states’ vote on the agreement amid mounting farmer anger. But the EU executive says a shifting global geoeconomic landscape makes the deal urgent.

Europe News

How the European Parliament could still derail the EU-Mercosur deal

Three votes in the European Parliament could derail the largest free trade area ever struck by the European Union – or at least significantly change it.

Europe News

EU strengthens screening of investments from foreign countries

The European Parliament and EU member states are taking steps to prevent rivals like China from “weaponising” their investments.

Europe News

Mercosur trade deal hangs in balance as EU enters final stretch

Twenty-five years after negotiations began, the fate of the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU is nearing its conclusion, but the struggle between backers and opponents remains tough.

Economy

EU's ‘Buy European’ strategy delayed by division among member states

A European plan to favour “made in Europe” products has been pushed back to 2026 by the Commission, with several member states insisting such a preference should be used only as a last resort.

Economy

EU Commission opens probe into Google over AI despite tensions with US

The EU antitrust enforcer on Tuesday opened an investigation into the US tech giant over its use of online content to power its AI services, a move that threatens to ratchet up transatlantic relations.

Economy

EU Commission hits Meta with antitrust probe despite US pressure

The tech giant is alleged to have abused its dominant position with rules on AI WhatsApp integration. The probe could further strain EU-US talks on European steel and aluminium, which have already been hit with steep US tariffs.

Economy

EU Commission sharpens its trade doctrine to counter foreign threats

The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled a new economic security strategy meant to better anticipate risks facing the EU market amid escalating threats to global trade, with China top of the list.

Economy

EU to unveil new economic security doctrine amid growing risks

The European Commission will unveil on Wednesday a new economic security doctrine designed to anticipate trade threats and take a more strategic approach to the EU’s existing trade tools.

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