BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (Reuters) – European Union countries are set to vote early next week to determine whether the bloc should sign a contentious trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur by the end of the year, ‍Denmark, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, said on Friday.

The EU and the bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay reached agreement last December to create the EU’s largest ever trade accord, some 25 years after negotiations were launched. However, France and other EU countries have expressed reservations, fearing increased imports would hurt their farmers.

The European Commission, which ‌negotiated the agreement, is seeking approval from EU members so ‌that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen can travel to Brazil to sign it.

“In the planning of t

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