PRESS REVIEW – While the French media have largely taken up the subject, this is less the case for European newspapers, which focus on the rumblings in France.
“France won’t sign [le traité avec le Mercosur, NDLR]”declared the French President on Monday Emmanuel Macron. This phrase was used by Le Figaro in its daily paper, but also by Le Monde which highlighted farmers’ anger. As a reminder, the free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia) provides for the elimination of 90% of customs duties between the Old Continent and Latin America.
In Europe, the dailies report on the French grumbling. Such is the case of the Spanish newspaper El País which highlights the challenges faced by French farmers “the government with 85 demonstrations across the country. It’s the same story in Portugal, where Latvia and in Luxembourg relate French protests without mentioning their country’s opinion. For the Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manha, protests in France are set to intensify.
Italy and Belgium also say no
Belgian newspaper Le Soir highlights the words of the country’s Federal Minister for Agriculture David Clarinval. “Without binding mirror clauses, we will not be able to accept, we will not be able to be in favor of the agreement with Mercosur.” he explained at a plenary session of the Belgian Parliament on Thursday, the day after the protests organized by the country’s farmers.
In Italy, opinion is the same as in Belgium. “The Mercosur treaty as it stands is unacceptable”.explains Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, quoted by La Stampa . “We need to verify that Mercosur countries respect the same obligations we impose on our farmers in terms of labor rights and the environment.”he added. Slovak newspaper SME also looks at the words of the Italian minister, who joins France and Belgium in opposing the treaty.
Austria and Sweden are in favor
“France is as isolated in the EU as Macron is in domestic politics”writes the Austrian newspaper Der Standard . The latter points out that some German and Austrian associations do not agree with the treaty, but this is not the case for the government, which is in favour of the treaty. “sees the bicontinental agreement as a European opportunity to counter the perfectionism of the United States and China”..
Farmers also remain concerned in Sweden, but despite this, the government and especially the Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs “remains firmly in favor of the agreement, not least to give European farmers better export opportunities.”writes the newspaper. Aftonbladet . “I don’t think that long-term protectionism strengthens EU agricultural markets.EU “explained the Minister to the daily newspaper.
The treaty is due to be signed in Montevideo in December. To prevent it, Emmanuel Macron needs to rally at least four countries to his cause, and ensure that those in favor do not represent at least 65% of the European Union’s population. So he can’t just rely on the support of small countries. A vote should take place beforehand in the National Assembly.