Background and Relevance of the Situation
The French agricultural union, Confédération paysanne, the third largest in France, has called for a demonstration with tractors on October 14 in Paris to halt the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. This move comes as a response to concerns from French farmers about potential influxes of Latin American meat, rice, and sugar into the market.
The EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement
In early September, the European Commission presented this trade agreement to the 27 countries of the Union Europea and the European Parliament for potential approval. The Commission pledged “solid” safeguards for European farmers.
French Farmers’ Concerns
However, French farmers are wary of the agreement, fearing it will flood their market with cheaper Latin American agricultural products. The French National Federation of Agricultural Mutual Insurance Companies (FNSEA) has already organized decentralized protests on Friday in response to these concerns.
Confédération paysanne’s Call to Action
“It is time for massive mobilization to stop all free trade agreements,” the Confédération paysanne stated in a press release, aligning their protest in October with a trial for two of its members.
Timeline and Implications
The European Commission aims to have the agreement ratified between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay by the end of 2025, during Brazil’s presidency of Mercosur.
France has long opposed this trade deal, considering it a threat to its beef, poultry, sugar, and biofuel production. They have also called for additional protective measures.
European Commission’s Assurances
To address French concerns, the European Commission has promised to complement the agreement with a “legal text” that strengthens safeguard measures for “sensitive European products.”
Support for the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement
Despite French opposition, the EU-Mercosur trade agreement enjoys support from several European countries, including Germany. These nations seek new markets for their businesses, especially following the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. Presidency and subsequent imposition of tariffs.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the EU-Mercosur trade agreement? It’s a proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
- Why are French farmers protesting? They fear the agreement will lead to an influx of cheaper Latin American agricultural products, threatening their domestic industries.
- What assurances has the European Commission provided? The Commission has pledged “solid” safeguards for European farmers and plans to include a legal text strengthening protective measures for sensitive European products.
- Which countries support the EU-Mercosur trade agreement? Germany and others seek new markets for their businesses, especially after the U.S. imposed tariffs under Donald Trump’s presidency.
