US EditionFrance Seeks to Delay Vote on EU-Mercosur Trade Deal
France demands stronger agricultural protections and import controls before approving the EU-Mercosur trade deal, citing concerns over unfair competition and food sector stability.
- On Sunday, France urged the European Union to postpone the Mercosur vote, requesting deadlines be pushed back to secure protections for European agriculture.
- Amid farmer protests, Paris has listed three conditions for approval, insisting Mercosur producers meet EU standards and `import controls` are established, as French farmers fear unfair competition.
- The Commission must secure member-state approval before any signature, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, plans a Monday visit to Brazil after negotiating with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
- Between Tuesday and Friday, EU member states are expected to vote on the pact, while the European Parliament will vote on Tuesday on safeguards for French farmers ahead of the Mercosur summit .
- The EU held 390 billion euros in Mercosur investments in 2023, and if approved later this month, the deal could create a common market of 722 million people.
26 Articles
26 Articles
France Slams Brakes on EU-Mercosur Trade Deal as Farmers Mobilise
France has moved to delay the long-stalled EU-Mercosur trade deal, throwing fresh uncertainty over an agreement years in the making as farmers prepare to protest in Brussels and EU leaders enter a decisive week of negotiations. The move comes after French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu last weekend urged EU partners to postpone the decision on signing the agreement, which had been scheduled for December 20 during a summit in Brazil, arguing th…
Mercosur trade pact a test of 'credibility', warns EU Commission after France demands delay
The EU Commission has urged France and Italy not to derail its trade accord with the South American bloc Mercosur, which it described on Monday as a test of the EU’s “credibility”. The scene is now set for a row at the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.
On Monday, the European Commission announced its intention to sign the free trade agreement with Mercosur in the coming days, despite France's calls to postpone the decisions. Ursula von der Leyen would like to initial this trade agreement with Latin America on Saturday at the Mercosur summit in Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil. But it first needs the approval of the European states during the week in Brussels. France, still opposed to the agreement in t…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
