A mega trade deal clinched between the European Union and South America’s biggest economies after a quarter-century of talks may signal the limits of the Trump administration’s pressure tactics in the region,

The trade deal between the European Union and Latin American bloc Mercosur approved by EU governments on Friday can be applied before the European Parliament approves it, Reuters reported, citing EU Commission spokesperson Olof Gill on Monday.

BEEF will be the main course on the menu for politicians when the Dail returns today after a month off. Last week, the EU voted to pass the enormous Mercosur trade deal that will see free trade

Despite opposition from France and Ireland among others, the ‘significant’ agreement with the South American bloc is set to finally go ahead

The European Council has backed a trade deal with the Mercosur group of countries, despite opposition from some sectors. Negotiations on the agreement, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay,

PARIS, Jan 11 (Reuters) - The French Socialist party will not ‌vote ​in favour of two no-confidence motions ‌filed by far-right and far-left opposition parties over France's failure to block ​the EU's Mercosur trade deal, its leader said on Sunday, giving some breathing space to the country's fragile government.

The Dáil is also returning after thousands of farmers gathered in Athlone to protest the Mercosur deal. MIGRATION, HOUSING AND a controversial EU trade deal are among the issues that politicians will be grappling with as they return to the Dáil chamber after the Christmas break.

The chair of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs Committee has said he regrets there wasn’t more “political leadership” on the Mercosur trade deal. Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South West John Lahart said he felt the case was not made for the trade deal before the Government ultimately decided to vote against it at EU level.