The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, stated that France cannot block the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, asserting that the decisive voice in this matter belongs to Brussels. He also emphasized his aim to finalize the agreement by the end of the year,

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he hoped a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc would be finalized by the end of this year, even as it faced opposition,

The European Union and four Latin American countries are preparing for a final push to clinch a controversial free trade deal that has been under discussion for 25 years. Backed by Germany and Spain,