European Commission President's Visit to Latin America

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Latin America on Thursday to finalize a long-delayed trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc.

> "The finish line of the EU-Mercosur agreement is in sight. Let's work, let's cross it. The largest trade and investment partnership the world has ever seen. Both regions will benefit," von der Leyen stated in a post on X.

Mercosur convenes in Montevideo on Thursday, where it is expected to announce an agreement on the trade deal. This agreement would be the largest struck by the European Union concerning tariff reductions.

Von der Leyen, starting her second term, faces opposition at home regarding the EU-Mercosur deal. European farmers have protested, arguing that it would lead to cheap imports of South American commodities, particularly beef, which do not meet EU green and food safety standards.

France stands out as the most vocal critic of the agreement, though it is currently occupied with a political crisis following the collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government.

In contrast, other EU countries, including Germany, argue that the EU-Mercosur deal is crucial for diversifying trade after reduced relations with Russia and dependency on China. They also view Mercosur as a potential source of essential minerals like lithium, necessary for the green transition.

Any trade deal reached would require approval from the EU countries and the European Parliament.