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
What are the main points of contention surrounding the EU-Mercosur trade deal?
## Interview on the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Joining us today is Dr. Anna Sanchez, an expert in international trade and economics. Dr. Sanchez, thanks for coming on.
**Dr. Sanchez:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Now, we’ve been hearing a lot about a proposed trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur, a group of South American countries. Can you tell us a little bit about it?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Absolutely. This deal, years in the making, aims to significantly reduce tariffs between the two blocs, opening up markets for goods and services. It’s a potentially huge deal, affecting trade between 780 million consumers in Europe and South America.
**Host:** But it appears not everyone is thrilled about it. Some, like a certain colourful character in the Opinion section of the paper, seem to think it’s a bit like a circus, with everyone vying for scraps. They even joked about the Chinese swooping in with chopsticks.
**Dr. Sanchez:** [chuckles] There’s no doubt that these trade deals can be complex and generate strong opinions. While the potential benefits are significant – increased exports, lower prices for consumers, and economic growth – there are also concerns. Some European farmers are worried about competition from increased imports of South American produce, particularly in France.
**Host:** Ah yes, France. The French seem particularly vocal in their opposition. The writer implied they’re throwing a tantrum over environmental concerns, but is there more to it?
**Dr. Sanchez:** France has raised valid concerns about environmental protection and the impact on its “industrial fabric,” meaning its internal industries. These are legitimate issues that need to be addressed within the framework of the agreement.
**Host:** So, a rollercoaster of emotions regarding galactic trade deals, it seems. What’s your take on the likely outcome?
**Dr. Sanchez:** It’s still unclear. The deal faces significant hurdles, including ratification by individual EU member states and addressing the concerns raised by various stakeholders. Ultimately, success will depend on finding a balance between promoting economic growth and addressing environmental and social concerns.
