Right, so, "Commerce" you say? Riveting. Naturally, like a glazed donut in a sugar factory, it’s behind a paywall. As if the headline wasn’t already beige enough.
Oh look, farmers. Angry farmers. Chuckles mirthlessly. Sounds about right. They’re probably fuming over the price of a tractor tyre ever since that fella Trump decided Brexit was a fantastic idea.
"Trade agreement with South America." Oh, the allure of a good old fashioned mercantilist bonanza. Imagine, lads: 780 million consumers, all clamouring for overpriced European cheese and questionable fashion.
Of course, someone’s gotta be the drama queen in this global marketplace tango, isn’t there? Enter France. They’re the only ones having a go at this South American shindig. Typical.
Let’s be honest, unless it involves berets, mime artists, or complaining about the price of croissants, the French just aren’t interested.
But seriously, they’re worried about the environment, the farmers, the… squints at notes "industrial fabric?" Sounds like someone’s been watching too much Marx.
That being said, if Trump resurrects himself like some sort of orange-tinted zombie, I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone starts grabbing onto any trade deal they can get their hands on.
It’s a funny old world, isn’t it? One minute you’re worried about global warming, the next you’re fighting over the right to sell cheap tractors to sweaty Argentinians.
And don’t even get me started on the Chinese. They’re just waiting in the wings with their chopsticks ready to scoop up whatever’s left.
Bloody hell. Commerce, eh? More like a circus designed by a Machiavellian accountant.
Maybe we should all just grow our own veg and wear burlap sacks. At least then we’d know where we stand.
Commerce
Article reserved for subscribers
Angry farmers fileObject of the farmers’ mobilization from Monday, the trade agreement with South America is, for the majority of European states, essential to the economic security of the EU, especially after the election of Donald Trump. France is the only big country to want to oppose it.
Will Trump 2.0 accelerate the signing of the free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) which should create a vast commercial zone of 780 million inhabitants? ? The fear aroused by the imminent return to power of this isolationist Republican, who has promised to launch a trade war against Europe and China, pushes the Commission and the vast majority of Member States to want to conclude as quickly as possible. , even if this means going beyond France. Especially since China is only waiting for one thing, to take Europe’s place in a market in which it is increasingly present.
Already, the election of Trump 1.0 had given new vigor to these trade agreements whose hour of glory seemed to have passed. Thus, two years after the 2016 election, the Union finalized negotiations which had dragged on for almost ten years with Japan before entering into a series of agreements with Singapore, Vietnam and New Zealand. Today, Europe has the largest free trade system in the world, having concluded around forty treaties.
Part of public opinion, particularly in France, remains opposed to it, seeing it as a threat to agriculture, the environment and the industrial fabric. But American isolationism – which has not been denied during the presidency of Joe Biden, notably with the adoption of the Inflation Reduction Act aimed at accelerating the transition
What are the main concerns of French farmers regarding the potential EU trade agreement with Mercosur?
## Interview with Agricultural Economist Dr. Sylvie Dubois
**Host:** Welcome back to the show, Dr. Dubois. Today we’re discussing a hot-button issue: the potential EU trade agreement with Mercosur, the SouthAmerican trade bloc.
**Dr. Dubois:** Glad to be here. It’s certainly a complex situation with strong opinions on both sides.
**Host:** Indeed! Based on recent protests we’ve seen, particularly in France, it seems farmers are leading the charge against the agreement. What are their main concerns?
**Dr. Dubois:** French farmers, especially, are worried about the influx of cheaper agricultural products from South America. They fear this competition could undercut their livelihoods, particularly in sectors like beef and soybeans.
**Host:** So, it’s essentially a fear of being outcompeted, both in pricing and potentially market share?
**Dr. Dubois:** Precisely. Many farmers feel the agreement doesn’t adequately protect them from potential damage. There are also concerns about environmental standards and the impact on small-scale, sustainable farming practices.
**Host:** I’ve heard some critics dismiss these concerns as purely protectionist. What’s your take on that?
**Dr. Dubois:** It’s important to recognize both sides. While free trade can bring benefits, it can also disrupt existing industries if not managed carefully. It’s crucial to ensure fair competition and provide support for farmers to adapt to new market realities.
**Host:** We’ve also seen some commentators suggest this is simply “typical” French resistance to anything that doesn’t involve berets and croissants, as one put it. Do you think that’s a fair characterization?
**Dr. Dubois:** (chuckles) I think those comments are flippant and ignore the legitimate concerns of farmers throughout Europe, not just France. This is a complex economic issue with real implications for people’s livelihoods.
**Host:** looking ahead, where do you see this situation heading?
**Dr. Dubois:** It’s difficult to predict with certainty. Negotiations are ongoing, and it’s possible that some compromises could be reached to address the concerns of both sides. However, it remains to be seen if a mutually acceptable agreement can be found.
**Host:** Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Dubois. This is certainly a story we’ll be following closely.
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