‘Let’s talk about our commercial interests, about our trade’, said the French president; leaders will meet again at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, on Monday (18) and Tuesday (19)
met this Sunday (17) with the Argentine president, with the dual objective of “defending” the French farmers mobilized against the trade agreement with the country and of convincing the ultra-liberal not to act alone on climate issues. After a symbolic tribute to the victims of the Argentine military dictatorship (1976-1983), especially the French, Macron visited the Casa Rosada, headquarters of the Argentine presidency, where he was received by Milei, who is accused of revisionism by his critics in relation to this dark period in the history of the South American country. Macron arrived in Argentina on Saturday (16) and both leaders will meet again at the summit in Rio de Janeiro, on Monday (18) and Tuesday (19).
“We are going to talk about our commercial interests, about our trade, about the defense of our agriculture and our farmers”, said the French president on , aboard the plane taking him to Buenos Aires. In , farmers and politicians fear that a possible free trade agreement between Mercosur and Mercosur will increase the availability of Latin American meat in Europe and provoke unfair competition from products that are not subject to the strict environmental and health standards in force in Europe. In Buenos Aires and Rio, Macron will be the spokesperson for this rejection, although it is mainly to other Europeans, especially Germany and Spain, who are in favor of signing the treaty.
It will also insist that Paris rejects the text of the agreement and will demand that provisions be included to respect monitoring standards, as well as the Paris Climate Agreement. Milei, skeptical about global warming, leaves his country at the UN climate change conference () in Baku and there is speculation about his possible exit from the Paris Climate Agreement, something he did during his first term (2017-2021). The Élysée Palace, seat of the French presidency, therefore hopes to be able to “connect President Milei to the priorities of the G20”.
Paris also intends to deepen economic relations with Argentina, especially in the critical metals sector, as the Eramet mining group has just opened a lithium mine in the South American country. Macron will also try to advance the possible sale of the French Scorpène submarines, although the French Presidency relativizes the status of these negotiations.
*With information from AFP
Published by Matheus Lopes
