EU states back Latam accord

RECORD TRADE PACT WITH S AMERICA 25 YEARS IN THE MAKING

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EU states gave the go-ahead on Friday for the bloc to sign its largest free trade accord with the South American group Mercosur, more than 25 years after talks began, following months of wrangling to secure enough support.

With US President Donald Trump shaking up global trade, the European Commission and countries such as Germany and Spain argue the deal will help offset business lost from US import tariffs, and reduce reliance on China by securing access to critical minerals.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hailed the EU's clearance as a "historic day for multilateralism".