Optimism in Brazil for the Mercosur-European Union trade agreement has significantly waned. Initially, the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the early months as a critical period for finalizing the deal, a goal that remained unachieved. The onset of the European Parliament's election cycle has further diminished expectations for progress within the year. High-ranking officials, including the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who previously supported the agreement, are now expected to prioritize electoral concerns, notably securing votes from countries like France, known for its opposition to the agreement.
Similar sentiments have been echoed by Argentina, with Foreign Minister Diana Mondino acknowledging the challenges in reaching a consensus. During discussions with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in Buenos Aires, Mondino suggested the possibility of segmenting the agreement to overcome these hurdles. Séjourné, reflecting on the broader European stance, indicated a shift towards exploring alternative forms of collaboration beyond the existing agreement framework.
French President Emmanuel Macron's recent declarations, amidst domestic protests, underscored France's resistance, attributing potential detrimental effects on its agricultural sector to the Mercosur agreement. Despite these obstacles, the official stance remains that negotiations are ongoing.
Source: datamarnews.com