Brazil to walk away if further delays hit EU-Mercosur trade deal: Lula

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned on Wednesday that if the EU-Mercosur trade deal is not signed as planned on Saturday, it will not be concluded during his presidency.

The EU's plan to create the world's biggest free-trade area with the South American bloc Mercosur ran into renewed uncertainty on Wednesday after Italy joined France in calling for a delay.

Recalling that the deal had been 26 years in the making, Lula said his patience had run out, noting that the time to close the deal was now or never.

"I've already warned them: if we don't do it now, Brazil won't make any more agreements while I'm president," Lula told a cabinet meeting. "We have given in on everything that diplomacy could reasonably concede."

The proposed pact would expand EU exports of vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America, while easing access for South American beef, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans to the European market.

The European Commission had expected member states to approve the deal in time for EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to travel to Brazil on Saturday to sign it with Mercosur partners.

France, citing concerns over the impact on its agricultural sector, has long opposed the agreement but lacked sufficient support to block it. That changed on Wednesday when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the country was not ready to proceed.

Italy's stance has cast serious doubt on plans for a weekend signing, although a Commission spokesperson said EU leaders will discuss the issue at a summit in Brussels on Thursday. ■