Paris, Jun. 5, (dpa/GNA) – Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has urged France to stop blocking the implementation of the free trade agreement between the European Union and South American states which make up the MERCOSUR group.

During a visit to Paris, Lula called on President Emmanuel Macron to approve the agreement without further delay.

“I will assume the presidency of MERCOSUR on June 6. I want to tell you that I will not leave the MERCOSUR presidency without concluding the agreement with the European Union,” Lula told Macron during a news conference on Thursday.

“So, my dear friend, open your heart to the possibility of finalizing this agreement with our beloved MERCOSUR.”

With a nod to US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, Lula further added that the deal “is the best response our regions can give” to global trade uncertainties.

The European Commission and the South American MERCOSUR states – Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay – concluded negotiations on a vast free trade zone in December after more than 20 years of talks.

However, resistance remains on the European side, particularly in countries like France, Italy and Poland. German farmers have also expressed concerns about competition from producers who can operate at significantly lower costs. National governments have to ratify the deal before it can come into force.

Macron responded to Lula by stating that the MERCOSUR agreement must be improved to protect French farmers from competitors who adhere to far fewer rules and standards, particularly regarding environmental protection.

He said that appropriate safeguard clauses and an additional protocol must be developed within the next six months.

The agreement between the EU and the MERCOSUR states would create one of the world’s largest free trade zones, encompassing more than 700 million people.

It aims to reduce tariffs significantly and boost trade.

However, to protect EU farmers, markets for certain agricultural products would not be fully opened.

GNA

PDC