The Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on a state visit to Paris, urged his French counterpart on Thursday, Emmanuel Macron on Thursday to “conclude” the free exchange agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, which is opposed to Paris in its current form.
“My dear Macron, his heart opens a little for this possibility of concluding this agreement with our beloved Mercosur. This agreement would be the best response that our regions could provide the uncertain context created by the return of unilateralism and prices protectionism,” Lula launched at a press conference in Elysée.
Emmanuel Macron points out “at a risk of agriculture”
For his part, Emmanuel Macron said that France was “for free and effective trade”, but that the agreement with Mercosur had “weighing a risk of agriculture.”
He said he wanted to “work for backup clauses.” “We have six months to do it. We have to respect our farmers,” he said.
However, for Lula, “it is not difficult to conclude this agreement.” “Even if Brazil becomes a wine country, we also facilitate the imports of French wines. We do not want to compete with you on this issue. Or with cheese,” said the Brazilian president.
As a reminder, the commercial agreement would allow the EU, and the first commercial partner of Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia), to export its cars, machines and pharmaceutical products more easily. On the other hand, it would allow the South American countries concerned about the agreement (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay) sell to Europe, sugar, rice, honey, soy …, however, France continues to oppose this agreement “in its current form”, rather from other European countries such as Germany or Spain.
Source: BFM TV
