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Lula Presses Macron to Seal EU-Mercosur Trade Deal in Paris

Paris’s environmental reservations remain the main hurdle to a long-awaited trade pact.

El presidente francés, Emmanuel Macron, y el de Brasil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, este jueves en el Elíseo.

Overview

  • During his state visit, Lula and Macron signed a dozen cooperation agreements across environment, technology, defense, energy and health.
  • Lula pledged not to leave his six-month Mercosur presidency without finalizing a deal with the European Union.
  • Macron insisted the current EU-Mercosur agreement is unacceptable under France’s strict environmental and competitiveness standards.
  • The pact would expand EU exports of automobiles and machinery in return for Mercosur exports of meat, fruits and sugar but needs backing from at least 15 EU member states.
  • In a joint press conference, Lula condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as a 'premeditated genocide' and urged recognition of a Palestinian state.