The EU put forward a huge trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur for approval by member countries Wednesday, reassuring chief critic France it came with “robust” safeguards to protect farmers.

The agreement to form a 700-million-customer free-trade area, the world’s biggest, is a key pillar in Brussels’ push to open new markets in the face of US tariffs — but has faced Paris-led opposition over agricultural concerns.

“EU businesses and the EU agrifood sector will immediately reap the benefits of lower tariffs and lower costs, contributing to economic growth,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said presenting the deal.

The commission Wednesday gave its final go-ahead to the accord, which was struck with the club bringing together Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uru

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