EU ambassadors approve Mercosur trade dealIndependent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice has expressed disappointment with the decision by EU ambassadors to approve the Mercosur trade deal. EU ambassadors approved the EU-Mercosur trade deal by a qualified majority. Ireland, France, Poland, Austria and Hungary opposed the deal, while Belgium abstained from the vote. The rest of the EU member states, including Italy, approved the deal. The deal is ‍the ⁠largest trade accord the ‍EU has concluded, although ⁠it will still require approval from the European Parliament before it ‍can be formally ratified into law.

Source: Irish Independent January 09, 2026 11:51 UTC