A National Assembly of France approved a resolution this Thursday (27) so that Emmanuel Macron’s government reject the agreement between Mercosur and the EU (European Union).
The proposal, supported by the LFI group (Rebel France), received 244 votes in favor and just one against. The information comes from TV BFM, a French associate of CNN International.
The LFI, in publications on social media, celebrated the decision and called for government action, saying that the relationship between economic blocs represents “turning point” for the environment, agriculture and democracy.
The attempt to form a blocking minority in the Council of the European Union and to submit the issue to the bloc’s Court of Justice gains strength in
The European Commission hopes to obtain the green light from European states before December 20, the date of the next Mercosur summit, driven by staunch defenders of the trade agreement between Europeans and their South American partners (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay).
Germany and Spain, strong supporters of the agreement, intend to support European exporters, especially industries, at a time when the EU is facing economic difficulties. These countries consider it essential to diversify trade partnerships in the face of tariffs imposed by the USA under the leadership of Donald Trump.
European farmers continue to vehemently oppose the agreement, which they see as a direct threat to sectors such as meat and sugar.
France, which failed to muster enough allies to form a blocking minority in the EU Council previously, will have difficulty obstructing the EU-Mercosur deal. For now, despite the measures promised by Brussels.
The French expect the European Commission to present measures on clauses for agricultural imports “as soon as possible”, a government spokesman said, after a meeting of ministers led by President Emmanuel Macron.
The French government continues to demand “equivalent measures” to ensure that all pesticides banned in the EU “are actually banned in products coming from Mercosur countries”, according to Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard.
Paris also calls for more effective controls to ensure imported products comply with European standards.
Despite the statements, he said this Thursday that he expects the agreement to be finalized in December.
“Brazil is interested in not only increasing volume, but also in diversifying its export agenda. Today, we export mostly primary or semi-manufactured products to France”, said the ambassador, stressing that the areas of energy transition, transport, logistics and sanitation offer great potential.
Once approved by the Member States, the text will be put to a vote in the European Parliament, where the result could be tight. Around 150 MPs have already called on Parliament to refer the trade deal to the EU Court of Justice.
