Germany: EU-Mercosur trade agreement sends an important signal

Germany said on Friday that the trade deal between the European Union (EU) and the South American bloc Mercosur sends an important signal.

„While others are closing ranks and pursuing increasingly aggressive trade policies, we are focusing on new partnerships“, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said in a statement released on Wednesday.

On Friday, EU countries approved a massive but controversial trade deal with Mercosur.

This gave Brussels the green light to sign the deal, which is supported by business groups but reviled by many European farmers.

A majority of ambassadors from the 27 EU countries at a meeting in Brussels voted in favour of the pact despite opposition from France, Ireland and other countries concerned about the impact on the agricultural sector, several European diplomats told the AFP news agency.