A long-awaited free trade agreement between the European Union and India could be finalized by the end of February, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Speaking during an official visit to India on Monday, Merz said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa may travel to New Delhi later this month to sign the deal.
Merz’s remarks come shortly after a majority of EU member states endorsed the Mercosur free trade agreement, a pact strongly supported by Germany as part of the bloc’s broader effort to diversify trade relations beyond the United States and China. Both countries have recently pursued more protectionist trade policies.
Unfortunately, we are witnessing a resurgence of protectionism that runs counter to the principles of free trade and open markets,” Merz said at a press conference. He added that EU leaders would take “another major step forward” to ensure the successful conclusion of the EU–India agreement.
Momentum behind the talks has increased following a visit last week by India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, to Brussels for high-level discussions with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, who previously described negotiations with India as challenging.
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