European Commission Pressures France Over Mercosur Trade Deal Amidst EU Opposition
The European Commission is intensifying efforts to finalize the Mercosur trade agreement by the end of the year, urging France to reconsider its opposition. The deal, which has been in negotiation for 25 years, aims to liberalize trade between the European Union and Mercosur countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. French President Emmanuel Macron is facing domestic pressure from farmers who fear the agreement will lead to unfair competition from Latin American imports. France is leading the opposition within the EU Council, demanding safeguards such as reciprocity clauses to align Mercosur's environmental and agricultural standards with those of the EU. The European Commission has proposed tighter market monitoring and a safeguard clause, which EU lawmakers are set to vote on. Despite the opposition, Germany and Spain support the deal, viewing it as crucial for maintaining the EU's economic influence globally. 
