Brazil, EU hail trade deal as victory for multilateralism

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Jan 17 (AFP): Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen on Friday hailed a trade deal between the EU and South America's Mercosur bloc as a victory for multilateralism.
The pair met in Rio de Janeiro on the eve of the signing of the deal, which has been 25 years in the making and will create one of the world's largest free trade areas.
Lula said the signing of the deal in Asuncion, Paraguay on Saturday was "very good, especially for the democratic world and for multilateralism."
Von der Leyen praised Lula's role in pushing forward the negotiations, and said the deal "sends a powerful message" and shows "the power of partnership and openness. And this is how we create real prosperity."
The deal is among several that countries are rushing to close in an uncertain global environment shaped by US President Donald Trump's tariff threats and protectionism.