World EU, Mercosur bloc of South American nations sign landmark free trade agreement January 18, 2026 gopalkumarthakur@gmail.com European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive branch, portrayed the deal as a bulwark against the disruptive policies of the Trump administration Related posts: Three Republican-led states to send hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington EU to propose faster phase-out of Russian energy, Von der Leyen says U.S. claims Hamas planning attack on Palestinian civilians in apparent violation of Gaza ceasefire Russia strikes Ukraine’s capital killing one, day before Zelenskyy-Trump meeting