Bangladesh, Dec. 20 -- Brussels is facing an old European scene: angry farmers blocking roads with tractors, paralyzing parts of the EU capital and forcing political leaders into retreat. In this context, the European Union has once again delayed the long-negotiated trade agreement with South Americas Mercosur bloc, pushing any decision to January amid mounting protests and open opposition from France and Italy.

Thousands of farmers have converged on Brussels, denouncing what they see as a deal that would flood Europe with cheaper agricultural imports and undermine local producers. Diplomatic talks aside, tractors in the streets have a way of questioning political priorities.

In any case, one may recall that negotiations between the EU ...