ISDS Case Map
Mercosur
Brazilian President wants the Mercosur trade bloc to advance in talks for deals with Canada, South Korea and Singapore, while aiming to increase commerce with other countries in Latin America and Asia.
Argentina and Brazil, South America's largest economies, took aim at an "unacceptable" EU stance in negotiations with the Mercosur bloc for a free trade deal long delayed due to stated European environmental concerns.
Mercosur countries cancelled trade talks with the EU meant to be held in Buenos Aires starting 29-30 June in what was seen as an attempt by Brazil’s President to buy time and present a counter-proposal to the bloc’s most recent demands.
A planned free trade deal between the European Union and South American bloc Mercosur risks increasing demand for farm produce from Brazil at the expense of Indigenous people's land and rights, a leading activist said.
Brazilian president Lula da Silva reiterated his support for the signing of the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur but expressed his dissatisfaction with the additional terms proposed by the European bloc, calling them “unacceptable.”
Brazil cannot give up government purchases, Lula said, referring to an unwanted procurement clause of the deal allowing European companies to sell to Brazil's public sector.
Friends of the Earth Europe commissioned a legal analysis of the European Commission's additional environmental protocol which demonstrates that it is a mere greenwash, only offering cosmetic and unenforceable adjustments.
The bill is asking the Executive to refuse to sign the pact, as well as supporting its possible suspension in case the environmental conditions established in the Paris Agreement are not respected.
The Spanish Prime Minister will attempt to persuade the French President the Mercosur pact would help the EU to broaden its alliances with other open, democratic nations and to "rebalance" the geopolitical map.
The European Commission said it would be unwise to renegotiate parts of its proposed free trade agreement with Brazil and other countries of the Mercosur bloc, given it took two decades to reach an initial deal.
