The proposed trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur bloc of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay has been a source of controversy. [ Q&A: What is the Mercosur trade deal and what does it mean for Ireland?Opens in new window ]However, the Mercosur deal still needs to be approved by EU states, in what will be a contentious vote. When lawyers have finished going over the details, the final text of the trade agreement will be put to EU states in the next few months. They will argue that the breakdown in the transatlantic relationship under Trump means the EU can’t afford to turn its nose up at the Mercosur states. Speaking after a meeting of EU trade ministers in Luxembourg, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the Government still had “significant reservations” about the Mercosur deal in its current form.
