Franco-German fight over South American trade deal threatens EU rupture – POLITICO

Franco-German fight over South American trade deal threatens EU rupture – POLITICO

For the French, von der Leyen’s Montevideo trip is anathema. Hatred of the Mercosur deal with Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia permeates the whole political class. The French fear the accord will undermine their farmers with a tide of cheap poultry and beef from Latin America — and will whip up popular rage against … Read more

Barnier lays out a survival plan for France … and himself – POLITICO

Barnier lays out a survival plan for France … and himself – POLITICO

Macron tapped the former Brexit negotiator as premier in September in a bid to bring stability to France after a snap election this summer resulted in a hung parliament, but his appointment was met with fury by the left-wing alliance that won the most seats in that contest. Lawmakers from the left have vowed to … Read more