Brazil's finance minister sees growing support for Mercosur-EU deal France showing more willingness to move forward, he said29 April 2025 29 April 2025 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media South AmericaBrazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Monday that he sees greater momentum for ratification of the long-delayed trade agreement between the South American bloc Mercosur and the European Union as geopolitical and trade tensions grow, reported Reuters. Following 25 years of talks, the free trade deal, which had divided European nations, was finalised in December. But it still requires legalisation, translation, and approval by member nations from both blocs. France had historically opposed the agreement, arguing it would hurt French farmers by exposing them to unfair competition. Haddad also said that after the trade war triggered by US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, Brazil had maintained open channels with the US, the EU and China.