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 potential positive and negative impacts of trade agreements on farmers?
## Interview with Dr. Emily Green, International Trade Expert
**Interviewer:** Dr. Green, we’ve been hearing a lot of colorful commentary about the proposed trade agreement with South America. People are throwing around terms like “mercantilist bonanza” and comparing the whole thing to a “circus designed by a Machiavellian accountant.” What’s really at stake here?
**Dr. Green:** Well, let’s cut through the colorful rhetoric. At its core, this is about opening new markets for European goods and services in a region with a large and growing population – South America boasts approximately 780 million consumers. It’s natural for countries like France to be both enthusiastic and cautious.
**Interviewer:** But France seems particularly hesitant. Their concerns seem to go beyond economics.
**Dr. Green:** Yes, France has raised concerns about the potential environmental impact of increased trade, the protection of local farmers, and even the broader implications for their “industrial fabric.” These are legitimate concerns that need to be addressed through careful negotiations and robust safeguards within the agreement.
**Interviewer:** And what about the grumbling we hear from farmers?
**Dr. Green:** ([1](https://www.fb.org/issue/trade)) Trade agreements can have a significant impact on farmers, both positive and negative. The American Farm Bureau Federation emphasizes the importance of level playing fields and protections for jobs in agriculture. It’s understandable that farmers would want assurances before embracing any new agreement.
**Interviewer:** Some people say this whole issue is moot if Trump manages to, well, make a comeback. Do you think international trade dynamics could change dramatically under another Trump presidency?
**Dr. Green:** It’s certainly possible. President Trump’s approach to international trade was marked by skepticism and sometimes aggression. A return to those policies could lead to increased protectionism and instability in global markets.
**Interviewer:** So, it sounds like this trade agreement is a delicate balancing act.
**Dr. Green:** Precisely. Navigating the complexities of international trade involves balancing economic opportunities with social and environmental safeguards. It requires careful consideration, open dialogue, and a willingness to compromise.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Green, for shedding light on this complex issue.