Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, commented on the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with Mercosur, highlighting the difficulties in gaining consensus among the 27 EU member states and Mercosur countries. Despite resistance, particularly from France, which is concerned about its agricultural sovereignty, von der Leyen believes the negotiations are approaching a final stage. The deal has been under negotiation for over two decades, and leaders from Germany and Spain hope for a signature by the end of 2024.