The president of France is reluctant to support the new pact between the trading blocs, despite the progress in the negotiations. Lula da Silva speculated about being able to sign the treaty at the G20 summit.
The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, objected to the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, in the midst of advanced negotiations between the members of the trade blocs. According to him, the pact is not “acceptable” under current conditions. Next month the G20 summit will be held in Brazil, where it was speculated that the understanding could be signed.
“In its current state, it is not an acceptable treaty. We ask for respect for the Paris Agreements [sobre clima] (…), and protection of the interests of industries and European farmers”, said the French head of state at the end of an EU summit.
At the beginning of September, the group of negotiators from both blocks held a meeting that ended with “significant progress” in conversations. According to a Brazilian government source, the meeting had good agreement on key issues such as “areas of environment and government purchases.
The talk took place after eleven governments of the EU They demanded a quick conclusion of the trade agreement that has been in dialogue for 25 years, within the framework of a letter to the re-elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The letter was signed by the prime ministers of Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and the Czech Republic.
macron and lula.jpg
The claim of the French countryside, the main obstacle in the Mercosur and European Union agreement
Despite the principle of understanding between the main countries of the EU and the Mercosur, France He fears that competition from South American agricultural products could compromise the local sector. Macron faces strong pressure from French farmers to oppose the trade deal. The main union of agricultural entities said that “European agriculture should not be sacrificed to reach international trade agreements.” And asked for protection.
Since the announcement of the first understanding between the blocs, signed in June 2019, Macron has strongly opposed the signing “as is.” The French president insists that its environmental impact and the “unfair competition” that his country’s farmers will suffer be taken into account.
On the other hand, the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated in August of this year that Mercosur “is ready” to sign the agreement. “That the EU comes to an understanding with France, but in Mercosur we are ready and willing to sign. Everything depends on them,” he said during a forum held at the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).
Lula Da Silva.JPG
REUTERS
Despite France’s resistance, Lula pushes to sign the Mercosur-EU agreement during the G20 summit
The Brazilian president speculated on being able to sign the agreement during the G20 summit which will take place in Rio de Janeiro next month. Two weeks ago, he declared in New York that “never” was so “optimistic” about the treaty and said that there was a possibility of signing it at the meeting that will take place on November 18 and 19under the presidency of Brazil. However, it seems that the opposition of Macron It will expand understanding even more.
As Ámbito was able to confirm, the president Javier Milei will be present at the leaders’ meeting. The Argentine president was invited by Lulathe host of the global summit. Milei’s confirmation was delayed due to ideological differences between both heads of state. However, the libertarian would have announced his trip through Argentine diplomacy. The country eagerly awaits the completion of the treaty.
The negotiations between both blocs, which began almost 25 years ago and reached a consensus in principle in 2019, got stuck again last year due to new European demands in the environmental section, especially Francehighly pressured by its agricultural sector.
Source: Ambito
I am a 24-year-old writer and journalist who has been working in the news industry for the past two years. I write primarily about market news, so if you’re looking for insights into what’s going on in the stock market or economic indicators, you’ve come to the right place. I also dabble in writing articles on lifestyle trends and pop culture news.
