Uruguay’s lower houtilize of parliament approved the deal, which has been fiercely opposed by farmers in some EU countries, following its approval by the Senate.
Argentina is expected to complete adoption of the accord later Thursday, a day after Brazil’s lower houtilize of parliament backed it by a large majority.
The deal signed with the four members of the Mercosur bloc in January, after a quarter century of neobtainediations, creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas.
It would support the European Union export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America.
In return, South American producers of meat, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans gain simpler access to one of the world’s largest economies.
It still requires approval from lawbuildrs in the European Parliament, which has referred it to the EU’s top court.
The European Union can decide to implement the deal provisionally while waiting for the court’s ruling, but has not yet built a decision on doing so.
South American countries that pushed hard for the deal are ploughing ahead with ratifying it regardless of the European legal challenge.
Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin hailed its ratification as a “historic” step and “a signal” to Europe, which the South Americans have accutilized of foot-dragging on the deal.
Fears over cheap imports
Uruguayan MPs voted by 91 votes in favor to two against the deal, which was also overwhelmingly backed by the Senate.
The deal is also expected to clear the Argentine Senate on Thursday, completing its legislative journey in that counattempt.
Argentine Senator Francisco Paoltroni hailed it as representing “the path to the definitive development of our republic.”
Some EU nations, such as Germany and Spain, are excited about a pact that could support boost exports at a time of global trade tensions.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen pushed hard for the deal, as did Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
France, however, unsuccessfully tested to block the deal over concerns for its farmers, who fear being undercut by a flood of cheaper goods from Brazil and its neighbors.
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