Lula Tells EU It’s Now or Never for Mercosur Trade Deal

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged the European Union to finalize a massive trade agreement with South American nations, telling still-hesitant leaders that the deal won’t happen on his watch if it doesn’t get done now.

“I’ve already made it clear that if we don’t finalize this agreement now, Brazil won’t pursue the trade deal during my presidency,” Lula said during a cabinet meeting in Brasilia on Wednesday, just days before hosting a summit where leaders from the EU and Mercosur aim to sign the pact.

The EU has been racing to finalize the accord with Mercosur, the ...