EU Delays 25-Year Mercosur Trade Deal After Farmer Protests

The European Union has postponed a major trade agreement with South America following large-scale farmer protests. The decision stalls the Mercosur deal, a pact 25 years in negotiation. It was set to be finalized with Brazil just before Christmas. The delay came after farmers blocked streets in Brussels during the first day of an EU leaders' summit. Their demonstrations, combined with last-minute disagreements among officials, forced the halt. The Mercosur deal aims to create one of the world's largest free-trade zones between the EU and four South American nations: Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.