Spain's acting Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, Hector Gomez has anticipated that during this semester, in the framework of Spain's presidency of the European Union Council, some of the main differences in negotiations for the trade agreement with Mercosur are expected to be closed, but foundations will be solidly established, which means the signature of the accord will be delayed until the next semester
France's Junior Trade Minister Olivier Becht expressed his concerns said this week during his visit to Brazil about concluding the EU-Mercosur deal too hastily. While his country does want a deal concluded between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur, Becht warns against entering into it too quickly, without assurances on environmental and social issues.
Ahead of July's EU summit with Latin American and Caribbean leaders in July, the first since 2015, the European Commission has unveiled a trade-oriented strategy to renew ties with a region that has been somewhat sidelined by the bloc in a chaotic few years in global politics. Approving the trade agreement with Mercosur is one of EU's priorities but there is French conditioning.