Farmers in tractors blocked roads and set off fireworks in Brussels on Wednesday outside a European Union leaders’ summit, prompting police to respond with tear gas and water cannons as protesters rallied against a major free-trade deal with South American nations, APA reports, citing ABC news.
Farmers fear that the deal will undercut their livelihoods, and there are broader political concerns that it could also help drive support for the far right.
Thousands of farmers are also expected at twin rallies planned by farmers' unions that are set to converge on Place Luxembourg, a stone's throw from the European Parliament and the Europa Building where leaders of the 27 EU nations are meeting. They are to discuss amending the trade pact or delaying its signing.
Also on the agenda of the EU summit is a proposal to seize Russian assets for use in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Italy signaled it had reservations too, joining the French-led opposition to signing the massive transatlantic free-trade deal between the EU and the five active Mercosur countries — Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. The deal would progressively remove duties on almost all goods traded between the two blocs over the next 15 years.
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