Brazil's Lula defies France, pushes for EU‑Mercosur deal by 2023
The President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, stated that France cannot block the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, asserting that the decisive voice in this matter belongs to Brussels. He also emphasized his aim to finalize the agreement by the end of the year, according to Reuters.
2:04 PM EST, November 28, 2024
Lula remarked, "I hope a trade deal between the European Union and the South American Mercosur bloc would be finalized 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," at an industrial conference, as quoted by Reuters. The President of Brazil was responding to the French authorities' declared opposition to the EU-Mercosur trade agreement being finalized by the European Commission.
The Mercosur organization includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. Lula da Silva remains 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 deal could create one of the largest free trade zones in the world.
France is firmly against the agreement, with its authorities arguing that it does not guarantee "fair competition" conditions for local farmers. This rejection is a major demand of the farmers, who recently resumed protests across the country. During a recent visit to Argentina, President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that France will not support the agreement.