First underground, then public, France It currently blocks the trade agreement between the European Union and the Latin American countries Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay). Your parliament has demanded changes and set red lines, without which Spain will not approve the arrivals from Brussels, which Spain wanted it to be one of the priority issues for the EU-Celac summit to be held in Brussels on 17 and 18 July. Pedro Sánchez is giving signs that it is unlikely to be completed during his presidency (or his successor) of the European Council, already and by the end of the year. Paris says it’s one environmental and food safety issue, but diplomatic sources point to the strength of agricultural troops in the country of Gaul. Countries that support the agreement, such as Spain, emphasize that the basic needs of allied countries (strategic autonomy) must be guaranteed, especially in the complex international geopolitical context. On the other side of the scales, the fear of importing agricultural products produced on macrofarms with fewer requirements will mean unfair competition for European farmers, especially if tariffs are lifted as the agreement aims.
“It is unthinkable for us to bring in beef or products raised on deforested lands in the Amazon,” he told EL PERIÓDICO DE ESPAÑA from the Prensa Ibérica group. Olivier Becht, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade, Attractiveness and the French People Abroad, during a meeting with the press at the French embassy in Madrid. “It can’t be that we import pesticides that we can’t use here, or that the EU continues to impose restrictions on European producers and also allows imports of products made in comparison to others, thanks to social, health and tax dumping.” Here.”
Spain wants to speed up the signing process. Xiana Méndez, Minister of State for Trade, asked the European Union to give unequivocal support for the signing and ratification of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement.
Becht denies that only Paris hindered the continuation of the agreement and reminds us that there are other reluctant countries, such as Ireland or Austria. He insists that negotiations have been going on for 23 years and that there is no point in reaching an agreement. sprint Leaving a bad deal for the fact that next month will be an important though summit.
Last week, the French National Assembly approved a text with 281 votes in favor and 58 against, in which they set the red lines. health, environment and climate criteria. He won’t approve of anything that comes out of Brussels without them. Lawmakers want South American farmers to follow the same environmental and health rules as those in Europe, and to suspend their practices if Mercosur countries do not comply with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Sánchez dampens expectations
The victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the Brazilian presidential election opened a window of opportunity. Negotiating with Jair Bolsonaro was nearly impossible due to his attempts to “privatize” Amazon. With the left-wing leader, that issue was removed from the block list. Moncloa saw the final announcement of a new agreement as a major diplomatic success. The ratification of the agreement became an important item on the agenda. However, Pedro Sánchez lowered expectations during his appearance last week to present his priorities for Spain’s rotating presidency of the European Council from 1 July to 31 December. “In case of closing and not closing trade deals with Chile, Mexico and Mercosur at least important steps are taken “Everything that has to do with clear strategic autonomy should be strengthened,” he said.
“A deal is not impossible if the Mercosur countries think it’s now or never,” said Oliver Becht, who met in Madrid last Thursday. Spanish Industry Minister Héctor Gómez will talk about Mercosur, among other topics. “But this is not because we have a strong protectionist position in the French agricultural sector. Otherwise we would not have ratified the CETA agreement with Canada or the JEFTA agreement with Japan, which allows large numbers of cattle or lambs to be imported into Europe. to be in competition.” He also says the negotiations aren’t just with Lula, who seems more inclined to reach an agreement. “The Brazilian Congress is mostly Bolsonaro and they pursue the goal of deforestation.”
Not everyone in France is against the deal. Pro-government lawmaker Eleonore Caroit, who was the only person to speak in favor of the agreement during the debate in the French Parliament, insisted on the strategic importance of the text. “If France and the EU deviate from Latin America, you know who will come? China and Russia,” she warned.
Lula will try to promote Mercosur
Lula will try to soften Emmanuel Macron’s position this week. The Brazilian president began his visit to Italy and France on Monday, where he will try to reverse the new conditions promoted by Paris. “I want to have lunch with Macron. To discuss the tightening of the Mercosur-European Union agreement “The EU cannot try to threaten Mercosur with sanctions if it does not comply with this or that,” Lula said in an interview with the public TV channel Brasil. If we are strategic partners, you don’t have to threaten, you have to help.” .
Lula refers to the sanctions program that is intended to be included in the agreement if the environmental objectives of the Paris Agreement are not met. Brasilia claims these are voluntary, The inclusion of penalties in the article is also a sign of distrust for those who say they want to become a member. Meanwhile, the president has asked his farmers to stop using harmful products that disfigure the EU.
Source: Informacion
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