EU and Mercosur Trade Agreement Progress
TradeComments
The updated text includes specific provisions for sustainable raw material sourcing. This could secure the EU's supply of lithium and cobalt for the energy transition.
But what about the environmental standards... if they are cutting tariffs, are they also ignoring the deforestation clauses in the Amazon? That seems like a huge trade off...
Do you think those environmental clauses were ever real? Or were they just window dressing to make the deal palatable to the EU public?
The theory is fine, but agricultural lobbies in France and Ireland are still blocking this on the ground. No amount of US tariff pressure will make EU farmers accept cheaper beef imports without a fight.
reminds me of the cset agreement stalls over similar agri-protections.
The OP is right to be wary. Previous breakthroughs in these talks often ignored the non-tariff barriers that actually restrict trade more than the tariffs themselves.
I see your point about non-tariff barriers, but the recent digitalization of customs paperwork in these regions should actually lower those hurdles. It might be a more meaningful shift this time.
Suppose the primary driver isn't just avoiding US tariffs, but rather creating a hedge against China's growing influence in South America. Could this be more about strategic autonomy than immediate trade volumes?