Von der Leyen heads to Uruguay to finalise Mercosur trade deal
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday that she was travelling to the Mercosur summit in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo. She hopes to put her signature on the EU's long-awaited trade agreement with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
"The finish line of the EU-Mercosur agreement is in sight," Von der Leyen wrote on X. "We have the chance to create a market of 700 million people. The largest trade and investment partnership the world has ever seen. Both regions will benefit."
"The finish line of the EU-Mercosur agreement is in sight"
The Mercosur agreement has been under negotiation for more than 20 years. While the text is as good as finalised, resistance remains strong in France. However, it is doubtful if it can mobilise enough EU member states to reject the deal. Only Poland has said it would do so, while Italy wants to see "some corrections" in the text.
Belgium, meanwhile, is divided on the issue. Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele sees potential in the Mercosur deal. "Thanks to our top products, including in agriculture, we reap the benefits of considered trade agreements," he wrote on X. But Wallonia opposes the deal, fearing it will lead to unfair competition for Walloon farmers. Flemish farmers have also protested against the agreement.
With her surprise visit to the summit, Von der Leyen seems to be sure of a positive outcome. After a stopover in the Brazilian city of São Paulo, she is expected in Montevideo later on Thursday. Trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic is also en route to Uruguay.
French chaos
With some member states still opposed, it is unclear how Von der Leyen intends to get Mercosur approved once the deal is signed. If national parliaments also have to give their opinion, at least France and Poland would most likely oppose it.
A spokesperson on Thursday denied that Von der Leyen was taking advantage of the political chaos in France to push through the agreement. "Those are two separate issues. The Commission is allowed to conclude trade agreements in the name of the EU, based on a mandate given to it by all member states, including France."
© PHOTO NICOLAS GARCIA / AFP
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