Brazil's Lula defies France: EU‑Mercosur deal by year's end
The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has stated that France cannot block the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, emphasizing that the decisive voice in this matter belongs to Brussels. He expressed his intent to finalize the agreement by the end of the year, according to the Reuters agency.
28 November 2024 14:11
"I hope a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc would be finalised by the end of this year, even as it faced opposition, mainly from France. The deal was being negotiated directly with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen has the mandate to make this agreement," Lula said at an industrial conference, as quoted by Reuters. His remarks came in response to the announced opposition of the French authorities to the EU-Mercosur trade agreement being finalized by the European Commission.
This organization includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Lula da Silva is confident in moving forward.
"I intend to sign it this year," added the President of Brazil.
The free trade agreement between the EU and the South American economic bloc Mercosur has been under negotiation for over 20 years. A political agreement was reached in 2019, but a binding agreement has yet to be signed. The agreement could potentially create one of the largest free trade zones globally.
France remains firmly against the agreement, with its authorities arguing that it does not ensure "fair competition" conditions for local farmers. Rejecting the agreement is the primary demand of the farmers, who have recently resumed protests across the country. President Emmanuel Macron stated during a recent visit to Argentina that France will not support the agreement.
