EU-Mercosur Deal Faces Pushback

The EU's long-running negotiations on a trade agreement with the South American Mercosur bloc — comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay — are meeting fresh resistance from key member states, CE Report quotes PAP

Poland and France have voiced strong concerns about the deal, which aims to liberalize trade between the regions. Polish Agriculture Minister Czeslaw Siekierski warned that without protective mechanisms, the agreement could destabilize the EU agricultural market. He emphasized the need to safeguard vulnerable sectors like eggs and sugar and plans to raise the issue with his French counterpart Annie Genevard.

Genevard recently confirmed that an additional protocol is under negotiation to improve protection for EU agricultural products. However, critics argue this protocol is insufficient and primarily designed to reduce opposition from skeptical EU members.

The European Commission is expected to present the final draft in July. Opponents must form a blocking minority of at least four countries representing 35% of the EU’s population to stop the deal.