2024-09-06 21:56:02
BRASILIA (Reuters) – European Union and South American negotiators ended two days of trade negotiations on Friday with “significant progress” on contentious issues that have been holding up the long-overdue EU-Mercosur agreement, two sources close to the talks said.
The sources said the meeting, the first in-person talks since April, went well and negotiations still seem to be on course for a positive conclusion before the end of the year.
“The round of negotiations went very well. There was significant progress in the areas of the environment and government procurement,” said a source at the Brazilian foreign ministry where the talks were held.
“A new round of negotiations should take place in a few weeks,” the official added.
Mercosur joins Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and more recently Bolivia in a market that is a sought-after destination for EU manufacturing exporters, though European farmers, especially in France, fear the competition it will bring.
More than two decades after negotiations began, the agreement was concluded in 2019 but was stalled by EU demands for commitments on Amazon (NASDAQ:) deforestation and climate change.
In the midst of demonstrations by French farmers in January, French President Emmanuel Macron reinforced his opposition to the deal, saying it would cause environmental damage and subject farmers to unfair competition.
The main French farmers’ union FNSEA said on Friday it opposed the resumption of talks, saying the EU-Mercosur agreement would increase competition for producers of beef, chicken, rice, sugar and ethanol.
“European agriculture should not be sacrificed in order to conclude international trade accords. On the contrary, agriculture should be protected and considered one of the main strategic European sectors,” the union said in a statement.
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Table of Contents
EU-Mercosur Agreement: A Step Towards a Historic Trade Deal
After decades of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and South American negotiators from Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia) have made significant progress towards finalizing a long-overdue trade agreement. The recent round of talks, held in Brasilia, Brazil, marked a crucial step forward in the negotiation process, with both parties expressing optimism about reaching a positive conclusion by the end of the year.
What’s at Stake?
The EU-Mercosur agreement is more than just a trade deal. It represents a strategic partnership between two economic blocs, aiming to strengthen economic ties, promote sustainable development, and enhance cooperation on global issues [[2]]. The agreement will provide European manufacturers with access to a vast market in South America, while Mercosur countries will benefit from increased trade and investment opportunities with the EU.
Challenges and Concerns
However, the agreement has faced opposition from various quarters, particularly from European farmers, who fear that the deal will lead to unfair competition and environmental damage. French President Emmanuel Macron has been a vocal critic of the agreement, citing concerns over Amazon deforestation and climate change [[1]].
Environmental and Social Implications
Environmental and social concerns have been a major sticking point in the negotiations. The EU has demanded commitments from Mercosur countries to address Amazon deforestation and climate change, while critics argue that the agreement will lead to further environmental degradation and social unrest [[3]].
Progress and Next Steps
Despite these challenges, the recent round of talks has yielded significant progress in areas such as environment and government procurement. The negotiations are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with both parties working towards a positive conclusion by the end of the year.
Conclusion
The EU-Mercosur agreement has the potential to be a historic trade deal, promoting economic growth, sustainable development, and cooperation between two major economic blocs. While challenges and concerns remain, the recent progress in negotiations offers a glimmer of hope for a successful conclusion to the agreement.
References:
eu-mercosur trade agreement
EU-Mercosur Agreement: A Step Towards a Historic Trade Deal
After decades of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and South American negotiators from Mercosur (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia) have made significant progress towards finalizing a long-overdue trade agreement. The recent round of talks, held in Brasilia, Brazil, marked a crucial step forward in the negotiation process, with both parties expressing optimism about reaching a positive conclusion by the end of the year.
What’s at Stake?
The EU-Mercosur agreement is more than just a trade deal. It represents a strategic partnership between two economic blocs, aiming to strengthen economic ties, promote sustainable development, and enhance cooperation on global issues [[2]]. The agreement will provide European manufacturers with access to a vast market in South America, while Mercosur countries will benefit from increased trade and investment opportunities with the EU.
Challenges and Concerns
However, the agreement has faced opposition from various quarters, particularly from European farmers, who fear that the deal will lead to unfair competition and environmental damage. French President Emmanuel Macron has been a vocal critic of the agreement, citing concerns over Amazon deforestation and climate change [[1]].
Environmental and Social Implications
Environmental and social concerns have been a major sticking point in the negotiations. The EU has demanded commitments from Mercosur countries to address Amazon deforestation and climate change, while critics argue that the agreement will lead to further environmental degradation and social unrest [[3]].
Progress and Next Steps
Despite these challenges, the recent round of talks has yielded significant progress in areas such as environment and government procurement. The negotiations are expected to continue in the coming weeks, with both parties working towards a positive conclusion by the end of the year.
Conclusion
The EU-Mercosur agreement has the potential to be a historic trade deal, promoting economic growth, sustainable development, and cooperation between two major economic blocs. While challenges and concerns remain, the recent progress in negotiations offers a glimmer of hope for a successful conclusion to the agreement.
References:
<a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/eu-seeks-post-election-approval-of-
