BRUSSELS — A qualified majority of EU member states has approved the bloc’s trade deal with the Mercosur countries for signature, four EU diplomats said.
France, Poland, Austria, Ireland and Hungary expressed their opposition while Belgium abstained. EU capitals now have until 5 p.m. on Friday to lodge any objections.
Additional farm market safeguards that would kick in if there is a surge in imports from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay surge too much also won the approval of EU ambassadors, the diplomats said, on condition of anonymity.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to travel to Paraguay next week to sign the agreement.