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December 17, 2025

Why Signing the EU-Mercosur Deal Now Is Premature: Italy’s PM Meloni Signals Delay — Focus on Trade Safeguards

Why Signing the EU-Mercosur Deal Now Is Premature: Italy’s PM Meloni Signals Delay

In a significant development for European and global trade policy, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that signing the EU-Mercosur deal now is premature, underscoring concerns over insufficient protections for the agricultural sector and unresolved negotiation details. This stance comes ahead of a crucial European Union summit where leaders were anticipated to finalise the long-awaited trade agreement with Mercosur nations. Reuters+1

Below, we outline key insights and context on Italy’s position, stakeholder concerns, and broader implications for the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

What Does “EU-Mercosur Deal Premature” Mean?

The phrase EU-Mercosur deal premature refers to the view that it is too early to finalise and sign the trade agreement due to unresolved issues such as agricultural protections, reciprocity guarantees, and stakeholder consultations.

  • Italian leaders argue deeper safeguards are needed for European farmers before approval. ANSA.it

  • Meloni stressed that signing in the coming days would be premature without these assurances. Investing.com

Italy’s Position: Protecting Agriculture and Ensuring Reciprocity

Italy’s government has taken a cautious stance, emphasising that agricultural producers must be protected from potential adverse impacts of increased imports.

  • The Prime Minister articulated that adequate reciprocity guarantees are essential before Italy lends its backing. Reuters

  • This position reflects broader concerns among several EU member states that cheap agricultural products from Mercosur countries could undercut European standards. For further context on the Mercosur trade pact and its stakes, see the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement page. Wikipedia

Related analysis: European Parliament members have also weighed in on contentious clauses tied to farmer protections, highlighting potential friction ahead of a final vote. euronews

Mercosur: What Is the Deal About?

The EU–Mercosur Agreement is a proposed free-trade pact between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Wikipedia

Key features of the proposed agreement include:

  • Elimination or reduction of tariffs on a wide range of goods moving between the EU and Mercosur nations.

  • Expanded market access for European exporters in sectors such as automobiles, machinery, and food products.

  • Increased opportunities for Mercosur agricultural exports into the EU market.

For a detailed breakdown, the EU–Mercosur Association Agreement overview provides context on the long-running negotiations and what’s at stake. Wikipedia

Broader EU Dynamics on the Trade Pact

Italy is not the only member state expressing reservations. Several EU nations have voiced concerns or sought to delay the signing:

  • France has led calls for stronger agricultural safeguards, aligning with protest actions by farmers across the European Union. trtworld.com

  • Poland and Hungary have also signalled their opposition to the current form of the agreement. capreform.eu

  • A coordinated effort by Italy and France seeks to postpone final voting to address these shared concerns. Reuters

Despite these holdouts, Germany and EU executive officials continue to urge consensus, highlighting the economic and strategic benefits of the deal — including reducing dependence on external trade pressures. whtc.com

If these reservations are not resolved, signing could be postponed into early 2026, according to some diplomatic sources. AP News

Potential Impact of Delaying the Deal

Delaying the EU-Mercosur agreement could have several implications:

  • Market Access Delays: European exporters may face continued tariffs and trade barriers with Mercosur countries until the agreement is concluded.

  • Farmer Safeguards: A delayed signing could allow lawmakers and industry representatives to negotiate more robust protections for farmers.

  • Global Trade Signals: Postponing such a major trade deal could influence other simultaneous trade negotiations, including discussions with India, Indonesia, and other emerging markets. AP News

For more on how EU-wide agricultural concerns influence trade negotiations, the MEPs and EU states headed for clash over farmer safeguards in Mercosur deal article offers additional perspectives. euronews

Next Steps in the Negotiation Timeline

Although Italy considers the deal premature, Meloni has expressed confidence that the necessary conditions for signing the agreement could be met in the near future — potentially early next year. Investing.com Canada

Upcoming diplomatic engagements between EU leaders and Mercosur representatives will likely focus on:

  • Finalising agricultural safeguard mechanisms.

  • Securing political consensus across member states.

Balancing economic benefits with domestic interests.

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