The largest political party in the EU has been forced to U-turn after sparking fury over a post about the British Overseas Territory, the Falkland Islands.

The European People’s Party (EPP) Group caused controversy when it posted on X (formerly Twitter) about the trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur, a trade bloc made up of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, with seven other associate members. The agreement was signed on Friday, December 6,

The EPP, which has been the largest political group in the European Parliament since 1999 with 188 MEPs and is one of the oldest parties, said of the agreement on X: “We welcome the conclusion of negotiations on the Mercosur Agreement.

“We are creating the largest free trade zone in the world, with an additional market of 260 million potential consumers of EU goods. It is a win-win for European & South American countries.”

But alongside their initial post was a map of Europe and South Africa with the involved countries highlighted in blue, including the Falkland Islands.

Many in the replies pointed out that the Falkland Islands would not be included in the trade agreement due to them being British-owned and the UK not being part of the EU anymore.

X users called them “clowns” and urged them to “check their graphic”. Within an hour, the EPP posted again with a new corrected picture that did not have the remote islands, which have been under British control since 1833, highlighted.

Others criticised the EPP’s support for the agreement, saying it was “disgraceful” and would “single-handedly strangle the European agricultural sector”.

Many are also concerned about the potential impact on the environment, with some saying it was a “facilitation of a worsening in climate change” and “exporting environmental damage to South America”.

The EU is Mercosur’s number one trade and investment partner. The EU exported £46 billion in goods to Mercosur in 2023 and £23 billion in services in 2022. It is also the biggest foreign investor in Mercosur with a stock of £282 billion in 2021.