Supporters of a free trade pact between the EU and the Mercosur states in South America, under negotiation for nearly 20 years, are seeking to swim against the current and secure a deal by the end of the year.

"At a moment when the Anglo-Saxon world is in retreat on both sides of the Atlantic ... we should take advantage of that opportunity to reinforce cross-Atlantic ties between the EU and Latin America," said former Spanish foreign minister Josep Pique in reference to Brexit and the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States.

The two events are seen as partially due to a rising tide of public opinion against free trade deals, but numerous agreements are still in the works.

With the free trade deal with Canada provisionally entering into force in September and an agreement in principle reached with Japan in July, the EU is now trying to reach a deal with the Mercosur states: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.