The French president, Emmanuel Macronassured this Friday during his visit to Mexico that he remains “vigilant” about the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, after unleashing criticism in France by being “optimistic” regarding the trade pact.
In a joint press conference with the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, Macron stated that France expects “clear answers” about the agreement, feared by French farmers and ranchers due to the possibility that their market will be flooded with meat, sugar or rice from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The French president recalled that he had previously said that the agreement “was not acceptable” for his country’s agricultural sector, but that after presenting a “new” element with a “robust agricultural safeguard clause”, he was “optimistic” about the negotiations.
On Thursday, from COP 30 in BrazilMacron said he was “rather optimistic” about the possibility of accepting the trade agreement criticized in France, thanks to the safeguard clauses proposed by the European Commission at the request of Paris and on the condition that they are accepted by the Mercosur countries.
These comments were denounced by much of the French political class and the agricultural sector as a “resignation.”
“As I have done since day one with responsibility and far from all demagogic speeches, I defend the interests of our industrial producers as well as agricultural ones,” responded the head of state from the National Palace of Mexico.
Among the conditions requested by France, Macron mentioned “mirror measures” so that producers in all signatory countries follow the same rules regarding pesticides and animal feed, as well as “reinforced health controls.”
“I remain vigilant because I do not have visibility about everything. And that is why France continues to wait for clear answers,” he insisted.
