French president says the negotiated terms must be rethought in new rounds of discussion
The president of France, (Renascimento, center), stated on Monday (18.Nov.2024) that the country is not alone in opposing the agreement between the EU (European Union) and Mercosur. Speaking during a break in G20 activities, Macron argued that the proposed rules should be rethought. The information is from the news agency AFP.
“Contrary to what many think, France is not isolated, and many countries support us”, stated the French president.
If concluded, the decision should be the largest free trade agreement ever signed by the European Union and Mercosur. The project eliminates, for example, import tariffs on more than 90% of EU goods exported to Mercosur members. The agreement, signed in 2019 during the beginning of the government (PL), had its negotiations suspended during the covid-19 pandemic. They were resumed in 2023.
However, the chance of a veto by France could change the fate of the negotiations. It takes 4 countries with 35% of the European population for it to be vetoed, and Macron claims that the country is not alone in opposing the current text.
Concerned about pressure from French farmers, who fear a “unfair competition” with Mercosur suppliers, Macron insists that both blocs rethink negotiations and make “new work to try to develop a joint investment framework that protects” countries’ economies.
On Monday (Nov 18), hundreds of French farmers protested across the country against the signing of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. The acts were led by the FNSEA (National Federation of Agricultural Unions) and the association of young farmers in France.
Furthermore, the European Union says it is concerned about environmental issues involving the agreement and agricultural products imported from Mercosur through a deforestation law. The European Union Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products prohibits imports of items from identified deforestation areas until December 2020.
Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to the cause: “We really don’t want to import agricultural products that don’t respect the rules we impose on ourselves”.
