At the heart of the anger of French farmers, “negotiations towards an agreement” free trade with Mercosur are finalized, announced this Friday the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, from Montevideo, Uruguay. But this announcement “only commits her”said France's resigning Minister for Foreign Trade, Sophie Primas, to AFP.
What are the consequences of this announcement? Can France avoid this agreement? France Bleu takes stock.
Negotiations finalized
The trade agreement with Mercosur is not yet signed. “We concluded the negotiations“, indicated Ursula von der Leyen. This draft agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay had been under discussion for 25 years. It aims to increase trade between the two zones by removing the majority of customs duties But this arouses. the concern of French farmers in particular, who denounce less strict production standards in South America.
The European Commission listened “concerns” of the European agricultural sector and introduced “guarantees” in the trade treaty, said Ursula von der Leyen. “It's a deal that will benefit both.” parts and “will bring significant benefits to consumers and businesses“if it is approved, she said.”We listen to our farmers' concerns and act accordingly. This agreement includes strong guarantees to protect our livelihoods.”she added.
EU member states still have to decide
The treaty still needs to be validated by EU member states. The announcement of an agreement by the European Commission “only engages her“, underlined France's resigning Minister for Foreign Trade, Sophie Primas. “Today is clearly not the end of the story. What is happening in Montevideo is not a signing of the agreement but simply the political conclusion of the negotiation. This only commits the Commission, not the Member States“, said the minister in a statement sent to AFP.
“This is the start of a new story. I am now looking forward to discussing it with European countries”wrote Ursula von der Leyen on X. Under the European treaties, the Commission is the sole negotiator of trade agreements on behalf of the Twenty-Seven but any text must obtain ratification by winning the approval of at least 15 Member States representing 65% of the EU population, then by bringing together a majority in the European Parliament.
If France still wishes block ratificationshe will have to convince other countries. Poland and Austria have expressed their opposition in the past, and more recently Italy. On the other hand, Germany and Spain are pushing on the European side to finalize discussions before the arrival in January of Donald Trump at the White House and his threats of increasing customs duties.
The FNSEA and Young Farmers denounce a “betrayal”
THE “guarantees“put forward by the President of the European Commission did not convince the FNSEA and the Young Farmers, who considered that she “betrayed European farmers”. “It’s a stab that has been dealt to French farmers”reacted on franceinfoTV the vice-president of the FNSEA, Luc Smessaert. Farmers point to unfair competition with South American countries, where environmental and social requirements are lower than those in force in France.
“It is a complete disavowal for Emmanuel Macron, who said with his hand on his heart that he was against this agreement“, he also declared. “For France to be trampled on this European chessboard is just not possible.” This is a new disillusionment for the mobilized farmers, after the vote on the motion of censure against the government of Michel Barnierwhich was opposed by agricultural unions in order to implement the government's promises.
The free trade agreement sends a “catastrophic message to millions of European farmers”reacted for its part the European organization of majority agricultural unions, Copa-Cogeca. The organization calls “Member States and the European Parliament to mobilize against this agreement“, Who “will exacerbate the economic pressures facing many farms“.
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