The European Union and Mercosur are expected to conclude a long-awaited trade deal this Friday, which is expected to face a tortuous battle to be approved in Europe due to staunch opposition from France.
After negotiations lasting more than 20 years and five years after the agreement was initially signed, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Mercosur leaders are expected to announce a deal at 9:30 am (Brasilia time) in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay.
Von der Leyen traveled to Uruguay on Thursday ahead of a planned summit of the bloc, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, hours after the collapse of French President Emmanuel Macron’s government.
France, the EU’s most outspoken critic of the deal, called it “unacceptable” and diplomatic sources said the European Commission was taking a big risk, with approval from EU members far from certain.
European farmers have repeatedly protested against the deal which they say would lead to cheap imports of South American products, particularly beef, that would not meet EU food safety and ecological standards.
Italy said on Thursday that there were no conditions to sign an agreement. Poland said last week that it opposed the deal in its current form.
European environmental groups also broadly oppose the deal. Friends of the Earth calls it a “climate destructive” agreement.
On the other hand, a group of EU members, including Germany and Spain, say the deal is vital for the bloc, which seeks to diversify its trade after the near-shutdown of the Russian market and distress over dependence from China.
They see Mercosur as a market for EU cars, machinery and chemicals and a potentially reliable source of essential minerals such as battery-friendly lithium metal needed for Europe’s energy transition.
They also highlight the agricultural benefits, as the deal offers greater access and lower tariffs for EU cheese, ham and wine.
The trade deal would require the approval of 15 of the EU’s 27 members, representing 65% of the EU population, as well as a simple majority of the European Parliament.
South American negotiators remain optimistic that the EU will eventually give its approval and that France will not be able to muster a minority to block the deal.
Source: Terra

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