00:00Hello Friday!
00:03While you are about to start your weekends,
00:06Brussels is sweating over a deadline that has been 25 years in the making.
00:10The EU is entering the final phase of the Mercosur trade deal
00:15that might create a market of 700 million people between Europe and South America.
00:21But will it?
00:24Next Tuesday, the European Parliament votes on the trading safeguards.
00:29Basically, to ensure no disruption of our market and to keep the unfair competition in check.
00:35And if that passes, it clears the path.
00:38Then, on Saturday, Ursula von der Leyen flies to Brazil to sign the deal.
00:44But even if signed, the European Parliament must still ratify it.
00:49With the far right and left against it, the deal could still be killed next year.
00:54European diplomats warn that if this happens, Europe loses a strategic partner,
00:59especially as relations with the US are falling apart.
01:05And speaking of the US, our favourite commentators have recently claimed that Brussels is just an unelected bureaucracy.
01:13Well, if this deal dies next year, it will be because the Parliament showed its teeth.
01:20So, dear American friends, please leave calling European lawmakers weak to us.
01:26That's our job.
01:29After all, we, the people, are the ones who elect them.
01:33Protect them.
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