French minister finds ‘strong tension and difficulties’ between Argentina and Brazil

Saturday, May 14th 2011 - 05:15 UTC

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French Foreign Trade Secretary Pierre Lellouche said he had witnessed ‘strong tensions’ among Mercosur members during negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement. Read full article

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yul
very normal !
their foreign trade compositions are almost same but their economies are different !
May 14th, 2011 - 09:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0
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GeoffWard
Multi-agency EU Workshop 22 March 2011 on what to do when Mercosur talks collapse:

“In examining trade agreements between Brazil and the EU, the difficulty of dissociating the bilateral trade relationship from inter-regional trade agreements is apparent.

Obstacles to progress in trade negotiations relate to disputes between Brazil and the EU but also to political dynamics within other Mercosur countries (Argentina; GW).

Disagreements in reaching agreement with the regional trade bloc (high tariffs on industrial products versus non trade barriers and particularly agriculture subsidies) mirror the reasons for paralysis within the WTO’s Doha Round.

An alternative to pursuing an EU-Mercosur agreement could be to work toward a bilateral Brazil-EU free trade agreement, although this would be a long-term scenario, once the negotiation process EU-Mercosur fails.

Success in pursuing a sustained regional strategy for engagement may in turn depend on strengthening bilateral relationships with Brazil’s neighbours, using issues other than trade as entry points for expanded dialogue.”

http://www.edc2020.eu/fileadmin/publications/EDC_2020_-_Workshop_-Brazil_and_the_EU_New_Opportunities_for_Development_Cooperation_in_Third_Countries.pdf

So, the EU wants ‘in’ to South America but , with countries with which it can’t trade, it is willing to develop non-trade links.
My guess is that Higher Education development links will figure prominently.
May 14th, 2011 - 12:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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briton
France rarely comments like this, so if she says there is a problem, then they should sit up and listen,
May 14th, 2011 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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ElaineB
I am not surprised the French are expressing concern. The protectionist polices of the EU benefit French farmers disproportionately.
May 15th, 2011 - 05:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
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