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EU-Mercosur Agreement: Alberto Fernández and Jair Bolsonaro raise questions in Brussels

2020-02-22T20:53:52.512Z


The big problem is how the Argentine president and his Brazilian pair will face this challenge. The Casa Rosada, for now, allows the development of negotiations.


Daniel Vittar

02/22/2020 - 17:29

  • Clarín.com
  • Economy

The authorities of the European Union , clinging to conciliatory diplomacy, express a discreet optimism regarding the ambitious commercial agreement of Mercosur . Below, however, there are uncomfortable doubts. And generating that discomfort are the presidents Alberto Fernandez and Jair Bolsonaro. The first because it still does not define whether it will have an open or closed commercial policy. The second, not so much for their incandescent phrases and postures, which in themselves arouse distaste, but especially for their human rights and environmental policies.

Although a commercial agreement principle was signed last year, the other leg of this deal is now being analyzed: legal review l. This stage is extremely delicate since the terms and scope will be specified. After the translation, which is difficult, it will go to the European Council and finally to the Parliament. There are expected sparks, product of the discomfort of some agricultural sectors in Europe, who fear the invasion of products from Mercosur countries, much more powerful in this regard than small local producers. Just the opposite of what happens in Conosur, where fear is centered on the invasion of European industrial technology.

“It took us 20 years to come up with an agreement and this did not end. The agreement has many enemies, detractors. There is a tendency to protectionism and it is natural. Producers complain, since their agricultural production has no chance with Latin America. Maybe we have opened the door too much, ”admits Nicola Dante , MEP for Italy.

But it seems that this is not the biggest inconvenience. The big problem is how Fernández and Bolsonaro will face this challenge . “Without a doubt Mauricio Macri gave the agreement a boost. The new Argentine president is not opposed and there is availability to sign them, ”says Dante, with more hopes than realities . Fernández is questioned some ambivalence on the subject.

During the final stage of the campaign, and after winning the PASO, Fernández questioned the pact and said that the most appropriate thing was to "review" its main points. “When we heard the first statements it was fatal and we were hard. Then he was changing and now his posture is very positive . He needs to improve his country's economic situation and negotiations with the European Union are important, ”an EU source told Clarin and other media during a seminar on the agreement offered in Brussels.

Already in the Government, the Argentine president had a much more conciliatory message. "We have no problems with the Mercosur going to join the EU, if Argentina does not affect the industry , " he said last December.

The Argentine government, for now, allows the development of negotiations. Moreover, there are four negotiators in Brussels dealing with the legal aspect of the agreement. But they do not receive a strong mandate to seal this agreement that takes so long. A convincing pronouncement is missing.

Fernández's lack of definitions is also causing resentment in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay . They feel that they can apply protectionist measures in Argentina, cooling any agreement of the block. That is why its foreign ministries are allowing to transcend that if one does not sign, the agreement can move forward with the other members. Something really difficult to specify on the legal level, and about which there are many inaccuracies.

In this swampy scenario, the concern of Europeans also moves to Bolsonaro. “Relations with the Brazilian president are really problematic. Often your comments go against the principles of the agreement. We will see what happens with the obligations in human rights and environmental protection ”, launches Dante.

Although for some sectors of the European leadership both Bolsonaro and Fernández raise doubts, others consider their statements to be only "rhetoric" addressed to their followers. “They are comments, nothing more. We cannot take them seriously, ”said an experienced European negotiator. Specifically, they say, the agreement suits both parties. And for Europe it is fundamental at a time when China devours markets across the planet. "For us it is more important than any other agreement we have signed," said one of the negotiators.

The great fear of asymmetries, which one floods the other with their products, they take as an almost innocent posture. “The agreement will have a certain impact, but it will not radically change any of the parties. In addition, the change is very gradual, ”says a spokesman for the European sector. And emphasizing the current reality, he launched : "Latin America has to wake up and present itself to the competition." And he asks, with irony: "How much more primary producer can it be than it is today?"

Beyond politics, and inconvenient statements, in Brussels they move forward with the final guidelines. It is expected that the review of the legal aspect will be ready in the coming months to be treated in the European Council and in Parliament. The Congresses of our countries must also give you the final touch. The economic outlook appears as beneficial, but the terms are long. If everything works, the first formal exchanges would be finalized within a decade or two.

Brussels. Special delivery

Source: clarin

All business articles on 2020-02-22

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