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WARSAW, POLAND - JAN. 9: Farmers in Polish capital Warsaw, gathered on Friday (Jan. 9) to protest against a draft European Union trade agreement with Mercosur, a South American trade bloc.Polish farmers argue the proposed EU-Mercosur pact would open the EU market to cheaper agricultural imports from Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay — countries they say operate with lower production standards and weaker environmental and labor regulations.The agreement, more than two decades in the making, would grant tariff concessions for selected agricultural products from Mercosur countries in exchange for improved access for European machinery, pharmaceuticals and industrial goods.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pushed to finalize the text in Brazil at the end of December but failed to secure backing from several skeptical member states.EU agriculture ministers are considering a stricter safeguard clause that would allow governments to halt farm imports if domestic markets are destabilized. Polish Agriculture Minister Stefan Krajewski, speaking in Brussels this week, warned that negotiations remain unpredictable and that “a decision may again be delayed.”Ambassadors from EU member states are due to vote on Friday, though diplomats say another postponement is likely if a qualified majority cannot be reached. (Footage by Artur Widak /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)