European business firms urge EU to seal Mercosur trade deal this week

A sign reading "Mercosur = a gift to multinationals" is pictured on a tractor during a protest by Belgian farmers outside a meeting of European Union agriculture ministers in Brussels, Belgium on Monday. Photo: REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Bruno Federowski and Marcela Ayres

European companies are urging the European Union to accelerate trade negotiations with South America’s Mercosur bloc, in a sign of concern that the 20-year talks could once again fall dormant if they do not reach an accord this week.

In a letter, the head of industrial lobby BusinessEurope Pierre Gattaz urged European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to seal a deal before the campaign season for general elections in Brazil begins.