European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told EU leaders at a summit in Brussels that the signing of a free trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur would be postponed to January, diplomatic…

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday urged the European Union to show "courage" and sign a trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc. "Without political will and courage on the part of leaders, it will not be possible to conclude negotiations that have dragged on for 26 years," Lula said in his opening speech at the Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguacu.

Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Saturday he hopes a massive free-trade deal between the South American bloc Mercosur and the European Union will be signed in January. Protests on Friday by European farmers and opposition from France and Italy threatened to quash an agreement that has been under negotiation for more than 26 years.

As Europe hesitates over the Mercosur agreement, Brazilian President Lula has shown signs of frustration with a deal '37 years in the making'. He warned it was 'now or never' to sign, saying there would be no further opportunities during his term in office. FRANCE 24's Tom Vickery has the details from Rio.