Lula da Silva vows to push for EU‑Mercosur deal despite French resistance
The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has asserted that France cannot block the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. He mentioned that the decisive power in this matter lies with Brussels. Lula also emphasised his intention to finalise the agreement by the end of the year, according to the Reuters agency.
28 November 2024 18:48
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, as quoted by Reuters. The President of Brazil was responding to the announced opposition of the French authorities to the EU-Mercosur trade agreement being finalised by the European Commission.
This latter organisation includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Lula da Silva is resolute in his intentions.
- I intend to sign it this year, added the President of Brazil.
Work on the free trade agreement between the EU and the South American economic bloc Mercosur has been ongoing for over 20 years. A political agreement was reached in 2019, but a binding agreement has yet to be signed. The agreement could create one of the largest free trade zones in the world.
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 recently resumed protests across the country. President Emmanuel Macron stated during a recent visit to Argentina that France will not support the agreement.
