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E.U. and South America to Form Free-Trade Zone With 700 Million People
NYT Gift LinkThe European Union, overcoming deep dissension among its members, gave the green light to a sweeping trade pact with four South American countries on Friday that would create one of the largest free-trade zones in the world, connecting markets with more than 700 million people.
The agreement offers a stark contrast to the amped-up aggression on display this week from the Trump administration. As Europe worked to extend an era of economic collaboration, the United States, its once-close ally, demonstrated that it preferred coercion over cooperation.
In Brussels, European leaders negotiated and revised rules to win agreement. Across the Atlantic, President Trump authorized military raids to oust Venezuela’s president and capture two tankers, as part of a plan to seize billions of dollars’ worth of Venezuelan oil. He then doubled down on threats to Colombia, Cuba and Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory.
To some degree, Mr. Trump’s confrontational approach and embrace of trade wars helped seal a deal between the 27-member European Union and four South American nations in the trade bloc known as Mercosur, which had languished for a quarter-century.
Indeed, countries across the world have stepped up efforts in the past year to sign trade partnerships that do not include the United States.
The agreement offers a stark contrast to the amped-up aggression on display this week from the Trump administration. As Europe worked to extend an era of economic collaboration, the United States, its once-close ally, demonstrated that it preferred coercion over cooperation.
In Brussels, European leaders negotiated and revised rules to win agreement. Across the Atlantic, President Trump authorized military raids to oust Venezuela’s president and capture two tankers, as part of a plan to seize billions of dollars’ worth of Venezuelan oil. He then doubled down on threats to Colombia, Cuba and Greenland, a semiautonomous Danish territory.
To some degree, Mr. Trump’s confrontational approach and embrace of trade wars helped seal a deal between the 27-member European Union and four South American nations in the trade bloc known as Mercosur, which had languished for a quarter-century.
Indeed, countries across the world have stepped up efforts in the past year to sign trade partnerships that do not include the United States.
Trump succeeds at united the world—against us.
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell.bsky.social) 2026-01-10T14:22:17.520Z
This week, South Korea's president had 1st official visit to Beijing by leader of Korea since 2019.
In fall, Chinese President Xi had his first visit to South Korea in 11 years. The leaders of Canada & China met for first time in 8 years. Etc.
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