欧盟与南美这项重大贸易协定推迟，“冯德莱恩遭遇明显挫折”

Core Points - The EU and Mercosur trade agreement, which aims to create a free trade area covering approximately 770 million people, is facing internal disagreements among EU member states, leading to a postponement of the signing originally scheduled for December 20 [1][3] - Brazilian President Lula has warned that if the agreement is not finalized soon, it will not be pursued during his term, emphasizing the importance of the deal for strengthening Mercosur and diversifying trade partnerships [3][4] - The agreement has been under negotiation for over 25 years, but concerns from countries like France, Italy, and Poland regarding agricultural protections have stalled its finalization [4][6] EU Internal Disagreements - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the delay of the signing due to unresolved concerns from member states, particularly regarding agricultural interests [1][6] - France and Italy have been particularly vocal in their opposition, citing fears that the agreement would harm domestic farmers by allowing cheaper imports from South America [4][6] - The postponement has been supported by several other EU countries, including Poland, Hungary, Austria, and Ireland, indicating a broader coalition against the agreement in its current form [6] Economic Implications - The trade agreement is expected to eliminate tariffs on various goods, including automobiles, and facilitate European access to Mercosur's large agricultural market, providing an alternative to U.S. trade options [5] - The deal represents the largest trade agreement in EU history, highlighting the significant economic stakes involved [4][7] - The EU's credibility in global trade policy is at risk if the agreement is not finalized, as emphasized by German Chancellor Merz [6]