See more We have reached out to our Mercosur partners and agreed to postpone slightly the signature. pic.twitter.com/vjHCQPR23n — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 19, 2025Although France’s opposition to the deal was well known, it was Italy’s last-minute change of heart that solidified opposition to the deal. After news broke that Italy was joining France in its opposition to the deal, Lula said that the agreement would be nixed if it wasn’t signed this weekend. If this is not done now, it won’t happen while I’m president,” Lula told a cabinet meeting. “[She] told me that if we are patient for a week, ten days, or a month, Italy will be on board with the agreement,” Lula said.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald December 19, 2025 16:59 UTC