The President of Brazil issues an ultimatum to the European Union. “We will be tough on them”
— If we don't do it now, Brazil won't make this deal while I'm president. If they say no, we will be tough on them from now on. We made all the concessions that diplomacy could agree on, Lula said during a cabinet meeting.
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What ultimatum did the president of Brazil give to the European Union?
Which countries do not support the Mercosur agreement?
What products does the Mercosur agreement cover?
What does the enhanced protection clause in the contract provide for?
What next for the EU-Mercosur agreement?
Earlier on Wednesday, Italy and France said they were not ready to support the deal, which is an embarrassment for the European Commission as its president, Ursula von der Leyen, is scheduled to travel to Brazil at the end of this week to sign the deal. Poland and Hungary also have reservations about the agreement.
The agreement with the Mercosur bloc of countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia and Uruguay) will establish tariff preferences for certain agricultural products from these countries, such as beef, poultry, dairy, sugar and ethanol.
On Tuesday, the European Parliament voted on a strengthened protection clause in the trade agreement with Mercosur. It is intended to allow the Community to react faster in the event of a drop in prices of products such as beef and eggs as a result of imports from countries in this bloc.
