The European Union has approved a trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc after 25 years of negotiations. The deal, which aims to reduce tariffs and boost trade, received a qualified majority of EU member states, though France, Poland, Austria, Ireland, and Hungary voted against it. Farmers across the EU protested, concerned about increased imports of products like beef and poultry undercutting domestic producers. EU officials and Brazilian President Lula da Silva hailed the agreement as a milestone for global trade and multilateralism, while acknowledging the need for safeguards for European agriculture.