Macri pushes in Berlin for EU-Mercosur accord, but Merkel sides with France in the agriculture issue

Wednesday, July 6th 2016 - 04:40 UTC

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“The most difficult chapter is agriculture, and his is essential and in that sense we need a more flexible position from the French side,” Macri said.

“But I am relying on Germany's leadership capabilities,” he added, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel standing by his side.

President Mauricio Macri met on Tuesday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin with both leaders holding a press conference to address the current state of talks regarding a trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur.

Macri and Merkel met for a private breakfast earlier in the day and later at the press conference the Argentine president urged France for “flexibility” in talks regarding the agriculture agenda with Mercosur.

“Of course, the most difficult chapter is agriculture with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. This is essential and in that sense we need a more flexible position from the French side,” Macri said.

“But I am relying on Germany's leadership capabilities,” he added, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel standing by his side.

Macri is pushing for the accord despite political uncertainty in Brazil and resistance from nine EU countries led by France to opening up their farm sectors.

However a cautious Merkel said agriculture was the most complicated part of the talks, not just for France, but also for Germany.

Categories: Economy, Investments, Argentina, International, Mercosur.

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golfcronie
France and Germany have and will continue to be protectionist as regards the Common Agricultural Policy as it affects them totally The French farmers would block every major road and create gridlock and damn the consequences as they have done before. So forget a deal with the EU for many years to come.
Jul 06th, 2016 - 05:43 am 0
Skip
The UK will probably be willing to sign a trade deal a lot quicker then the EU.
Jul 06th, 2016 - 09:18 am 0
Brasileiro
A free trade agreement with the United Kingdom can not be dropped. Mercosur and the United Kingdom have complementary economies.

We need your industry to also give our own industrial competitiveness.

Technology services is also very necessary here.
Jul 06th, 2016 - 11:27 am 0

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