In São Paulo, Macron criticizes Mercosur‑EU deal

During his participation in the Brazil–France Economic Forum in São Paulo, French President Emmanuel Macron said he does not defend the agreement being forged between Mercosur countries and the European Union.

The current agreement, he argued, has been under negotiation for over 20 years and has not been updated to include issues such as climate. In his view, the pact “needs to be renegotiated from scratch.”

“Mercosur is a terrible agreement as it is being negotiated now. This agreement was negotiated 20 years ago. I don’t defend this agreement. It’s not what we want,” he said. “Let’s put aside an agreement from 20 years ago and build a new, more responsible agreement, taking into account issues such as climate and reciprocity,” he said.

President Macron’s position runs counter to the stance of the Brazilian government. Before the European leader spoke, Brazilian vice-President Geraldo Alckmin had spoken in favor of the deal. “Mercosur expanded by one more country this year, which is Bolivia. We made an agreement with Singapore and there have been talks with the European Union. President Lula always says there has to be reciprocity. It’s a win-win situation. We conquer markets, we open markets,” the vice-president stated.

Earlier in the day, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad had said that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva would further push for the agreement. He went so far as to compare a possible Mercosur–EU accord with the approval of Brazil’s tax reform. It took Brazil 40 years to approve the tax overhaul that “put an end to the tax chaos,” he argued.

“We must not give up on this agreement. If we could approve the tax reform after 40 years, why not approve a good agreement between the European Union and Mercosur after 20?” Minister Haddad said during his speech at the event.

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad had said that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva would further push for the agreement – Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil

Engagements

Also at the forum sponsored by the Federation of Industries of São Paulo State (Fiesp), President Macron noted that Brazilian companies should have more faith in France given the economic measures taken by the French government, such as job creation and massive investment, in a bid to make his country attractive to business. “We need to accelerate, to go further. France will be the gateway to the European market,” he declared.

He also highlighted the role of Brazil and France in tackling carbon emissions. To his judgment, the two countries can overcome this problem together by creating clearer rules, stepping up efforts, and improving bilateral agreements.

The French president met behind closed doors at Fiesp’s headquarters with Minister Fernando Haddad, vice-President Geraldo Alckmin, bankers, and executives. After speaking at the event, the French president took part in the inauguration of the Pasteur Institute, at the University of São Paulo (USP); a meeting with young people from the Gol de Letra Foundation with former Brazilian national football team player Raí; and a dinner with Brazilian cultural and sports personalities.

On Thursday, he will be received in Brasília by President Lula.