The proposed free trade agreement, strongly criticized by French farmers, “because it has been underway for several decades, is based on prerequisites which are obsolete”, lamented the President of the Republic on Monday 18 November in Rio.
Emmanuel Macron affirmed this Monday, November 18 at the G20 in Rio de Janeiro that France was “not isolated” in its opposition “as it stands” to the trade agreement between the European Union and the Latin American countries of Mercosur, believing that several countries are “joining” it.
“This text (…) because it has been initiated for several decades, is based on prerequisites which are obsolete,” said the French president in front of journalists. He put forward the idea of ”rethinking the relationship with this sub-region, either Mercosur, or perhaps Brazil, because I understand that Argentina perhaps does not want to do it within a framework regional”.
He explained that he had “proposed” to Brazilian President Lula to initiate “new work to try to develop a joint investment framework, but which protects” French and European agriculture.
“In this regard, we really want not to import agricultural products which do not respect the rules that we have imposed on ourselves” in environmental and health matters, he argued.
“We bring together, we bring together”
French farmers have launched a new mobilization, in particular against the free trade agreement that the European Commission wishes to conclude with Mercosur, the regional bloc which notably includes Argentina and Brazil.
To be sure of being able to oppose it in the event of signature, France must bring together a blocking minority within the EU. Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida spoke out on Monday against the draft agreement in its current form.
“Contrary to what many think, France is not isolated and many are joining us,” welcomed Emmanuel Macron. “For several months, several years we have been working. So we are bringing together, we are bringing together”, he said, ensuring “to work with all those who have the same concerns”, “Poles, Austrians, Italians and several others in Europe” .
“I have always protected our farmers. They know that when I make promises, I keep them,” he insisted.
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