ROME

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told the European Commission president that the country’s farmers are worried about the recently struck European Union-Mercosur agreement, her office said Friday.

Earlier this month, the EU and Mercosur, the South American bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, finalized a free trade agreement, although it faces a tough battle to secure approval from all the 27 EU member states.

Meloni has particularly insisted on “the strong concerns of the national agricultural sector” in her first meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after the establishment of the new commission, according to her office.

The trade deal would be the EU's largest in terms of the population of its partner and in terms of tariff reductions. Opponents in Europe say it would have negative consequences on the continent’s agriculture.

The two also spoke about the prospects for the automotive sector in Europe, amid Europe’s ambitious environmental goals, which include the phasing out of the manufacturing of traditional combustion engines.

The two leaders also dealt with the challenges in fighting illegal immigration into the bloc, including the implementation of “effective tools” to manage it.

They also agreed to further reinforce collaborations on aid and development plans for Africa.