Right, so, "Commerce" you say? Riveting. Naturally, like a glazed donut in a sugar factory, it’s behind a paywall. As if the headline wasn’t already beige enough.
Oh look, farmers. Angry farmers. Chuckles mirthlessly. Sounds about right. They’re probably fuming over the price of a tractor tyre ever since that fella Trump decided Brexit was a fantastic idea.
"Trade agreement with South America." Oh, the allure of a good old fashioned mercantilist bonanza. Imagine, lads: 780 million consumers, all clamouring for overpriced European cheese and questionable fashion.
Of course, someone’s gotta be the drama queen in this global marketplace tango, isn’t there? Enter France. They’re the only ones having a go at this South American shindig. Typical.
Let’s be honest, unless it involves berets, mime artists, or complaining about the price of croissants, the French just aren’t interested.
But seriously, they’re worried about the environment, the farmers, the… squints at notes "industrial fabric?" Sounds like someone’s been watching too much Marx.
That being said, if Trump resurrects himself like some sort of orange-tinted zombie, I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone starts grabbing onto any trade deal they can get their hands on.
It’s a funny old world, isn’t it? One minute you’re worried about global warming, the next you’re fighting over the right to sell cheap tractors to sweaty Argentinians.
And don’t even get me started on the Chinese. They’re just waiting in the wings with their chopsticks ready to scoop up whatever’s left.
Bloody hell. Commerce, eh? More like a circus designed by a Machiavellian accountant.
Maybe we should all just grow our own veg and wear burlap sacks. At least then we’d know where we stand.
Commerce
Article reserved for subscribers
Angry farmers fileObject of the farmers’ mobilization from Monday, the trade agreement with South America is, for the majority of European states, essential to the economic security of the EU, especially after the election of Donald Trump. France is the only big country to want to oppose it.
Will Trump 2.0 accelerate the signing of the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) which should create a vast commercial zone of 780 million inhabitants? ? The fear aroused by the imminent return to power of this isolationist Republican, who has promised to launch a trade war against Europe and China, pushes the Commission and the vast majority of Member States to want to conclude as quickly as possible. , even if this means going beyond France. Especially since China is only waiting for one thing, to take Europe’s place in a market in which it is increasingly present.
Already, the election of Trump 1.0 had given new vigor to these trade agreements whose hour of glory seemed to have passed. Thus, two years after the 2016 election, the Union finalized negotiations which had dragged on for almost ten years with Japan before entering into a series of agreements with Singapore, Vietnam and New Zealand. Today, Europe has the largest free trade system in the world, having concluded around forty treaties.
Part of public opinion, particularly in France, remains opposed to it, seeing it as a threat to agriculture, the environment and the industrial fabric. But American isolationism – which has not been denied during the presidency of Joe Biden, notably with the adoption of the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at accelerating the transition
How can trade agreements be designed to balance economic growth with environmental protection and social justice?
## We Can’t Afford to be Luddites
**Interviewer:** Joining me today is Dr. Anya Petrov, an expert on international trade. Dr. Petrov, thanks for being here. I’d like to throw out a quote I found online about the recent EU-Mercosur trade agreement. It describes the whole deal as “more like a circus designed by a Machiavellian accountant.” Do you agree with that assessment?
**Dr. Petrov:***(chuckles)* That’s certainly a dramatic way to
put it. International trade is complex, inevitably involving diverse interests and potential conflicts. But I wouldn’t call it a circus. This agreement, like many others, aims to lower barriers to trade between the European Union and Mercosur, a group of South American nations. It opens doors for businesses on both sides, potentially leading to economic growth and job creation.
**Interviewer:** Okay, but the article also mentions concerns from French officials. They’re worried about the impact on farmers, the environment, and what they call the “industrial fabric” of their nation.
**Dr. Petrov:** France has always been a strong advocate for protecting certain industries and
implementing stringent environmental regulations, which
is understandable). These are legitimate concerns that need to be addressed during negotiations.
**Interviewer:** But aren’t those concerns a little outdated? I mean, shouldn’t we be focused on global collaboration in the face of issues like climate change? Should we avoid this kind of mercantilist bonanza?
**Dr. Petrov:** No, I don’t think it’s an either/or situation. Trade agreements can indeed facilitate collaboration on issues like climate change, through shared standards and technology transfer. However, it’s crucial to ensure that these agreements are balanced and consider the impact on all stakeholders, including farmers and local industries. It’s a delicate balancing act.
**Interviewer:** The article also mentions Catalonia’s potential interest in this deal. Is there something
specific about this region that makes it particularly keen on this agreement?
**Dr. Petrov:** While I don’t have specific insights into Catalonia’s stance, it’s logical to assume that regions with strong agricultural and industrial sectors, and potentially those looking to diversify their trade relations beyond the EU, might see opportunities in such agreements.
**Interviewer:** So, we shouldn’t despair about the future of trade in a world facing challenges like climate
change and global uncertainty?
**Dr. Petrov:** Not at all. While challenges exist, trade can be a powerful tool for addressing them.
We need to approach it with a pragmatic mindset, ensuring fairness, sustainability, and a keen awareness of the potential impact on all involved.
Let’s not forget, global interconnectedness is a reality, and embracing it responsibly holds more promise than retreating behind closed borders. [ [] (https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur/eu-mercosur-agreement_en)]
