Bucharest, December 20, 2025 – The Europe Today: Romania has formally expressed its support for the long‑anticipated free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American nations, Romanian President Nicușor Dan announced on Friday. The endorsement comes amid opposition from farmers and a renewed postponement of the pact’s signature.
Speaking in Brussels, President Dan confirmed Romania’s backing of the EU–Mercosur agreement, a trade deal first initiated over 25 years ago and now scheduled for signing in January 2026 after delays from its originally planned December conclusion. He emphasized that initial reservations held by Romanian authorities had been addressed through consultations with domestic agricultural stakeholders.
“This agreement opens access to a large market in South America, which is beneficial for Romania as part of the European Union,” President Dan stated. He highlighted that the pact includes protective provisions designed to safeguard European markets if import volumes rise sharply, helping to alleviate concerns from the agricultural sector.
Support for the trade deal across EU member states remains divided. While some nations and industry representatives argue that the agreement will bolster trade and strengthen competitiveness, farming communities in several countries continue to voice opposition, citing potential adverse effects on local agriculture.
In Brussels, thousands of farmers staged protests against the draft deal, as well as wider reforms to the EU’s agricultural funding and carbon tax policies, underscoring the politically sensitive domestic environment surrounding the negotiations.
Once finalised, the EU–Mercosur agreement is expected to create one of the world’s largest free‑trade zones, reinforcing economic ties between the EU and Mercosur nations, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
