EU poised to secure Italy's backing for contentious Mercosur deal

TheEuropeanCommission appeared to have won the crucial support of Italy on Tuesday foracontentious free trade dealwith South American blocMercosur,paving the way for the EU to sign the agreement as early as next week.

Italy and France last monthdashed hopes for a December deal, saying they werenot ready to support ituntil farmers'fears of an influx of cheap commodities fromMercosur,includingbeef and sugar, were r