France continues to withhold approval of the free trade deal between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) unless it includes environmental and ‘mirror clause’ provisions.
This stance reflects France’s insistence since 2019 on incorporating international climate goals and principles into EU trade agreements, a practice recently demonstrated in an agreement with New Zealand.
The ‘mirror clauses’ proposed by France are intended to ensure products traded under such agreements meet the same environmental, social, and societal standards as those produced within the EU.
France’s position is also rooted in ensuring policy coherence, particularly in environmental affairs, citing that international accords must align with global climate change and biodiversity summits.
Negotiations continue as the EU-Celac summit approaches, where the trade deal will likely be discussed.
France maintains an open dialogue with Latin American and Caribbean nations, including Brazil, a key Mercosur member, where recent political changes have seen an uptick in positive bilateral relations, following past discord over Amazon rainforest protection.
At the upcoming EU-CELAC summit, issues will also be addressed, including political crises in Venezuela and Haiti, the deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua, and support for Ukraine following the 2022 Russian invasion.