Mercosur: the EU pushes for the agreement, with a gesture towards France
Brussels – The free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur is expected to be approved at the meeting of European commissioners on Wednesday, the first formal step before submitting the text to the member states and the European Parliament.
It is particularly intended to allow the European Union to export more cars, machinery, and spirits to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
In return, it would facilitate the entry of South American meat, sugar, rice, honey, or soy, at the risk of undermining certain European agricultural sectors.
Since the conclusion of the negotiations last December, France has repeatedly expressed its opposition to this draft treaty in its current form, seeing it as a threat to several sectors – beef, poultry, sugar, and ethanol – and demanding additional safeguard measures.
According to two European sources, the Commission may make a gesture to try to reassure France: an addition has been negotiated to strengthen safeguard clauses for “sensitive agricultural products.” (1st September 2025)
