Scholz ups pressure to finalize Mercosur trade deal – POLITICO

Scholz ups pressure to finalize Mercosur trade deal – POLITICO

Brazilian officials held a bilateral meeting with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Fávaro told reporters on Monday: “The deal would be very good for Brazil and the EU,” and added: “We have never been so near to finalizing this deal.” Scholz argued that delays would harm … Read more

Milei ‘not satisfied’ with Mercosur trade deal either – POLITICO

Milei ‘not satisfied’ with Mercosur trade deal either – POLITICO

“I will say this simply, we cannot ask our farmers in Europe … to change their practices, to not use certain products and develop quality farming and, at the same time, open our markets to massive imports,” he said. The French president is on a whirlwind tour of South America that takes him to Argentina, … Read more

Emmanuel Macron’s last stand – POLITICO

Emmanuel Macron’s last stand – POLITICO

Now the balance of power has reversed. Macron has lost influence in Brussels following defeats in European and national elections, while Barnier’s government faces an immediate challenge to rein in the public debt and could be toppled by Marine Le Pen of the far right at any time. The freshly-reappointed von der Leyen is, meanwhile, … Read more

The MEPs who actually matter – POLITICO

The MEPs who actually matter – POLITICO

This article is part of the Brussels Survival Guide. There’s plenty to pay attention to in the new cohort entering the European Parliament — including, of course, the people. See below our guide on key figures across the policy palette. Céline Imart AGRICULTURAL DISRUPTOR European People’s Party, France A cereal farmer from Occitania in France, she … Read more

Germany’s Scholz blasts EU for failure to do trade deals – POLITICO

Germany’s Scholz blasts EU for failure to do trade deals – POLITICO

Indonesia is skeptical of the environmental conditions the EU attaches to trade deals; India showed less interest in cutting a deal before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent election for a third term; and France led a campaign to stop the Mercosur accord, which has been two decades in the making. Scholz’s speech echoed remarks he … Read more

Macron rattled as EU election defeat looms – POLITICO

Macron rattled as EU election defeat looms – POLITICO

One MP belonging to Macron’s Renaissance party, said targeting the National Rally “helps rally” voters, but he was more in favor of a “50/50” approach that also focused on other issues. “We need to insist on our European credibility and send press the idea that we succeeded on many issues” such as the CAP, Frontex … Read more

French PM Attal outshines Macron with warm welcome at farmer fair – POLITICO

French PM Attal outshines Macron with warm welcome at farmer fair – POLITICO

The president met solely with exhibitors and a few select farmer representatives, with the boos of disgruntled protesters kept at a distance audible in the background. Things went very differently for Attal, who has become France’s best-liked politician since becoming its youngest-ever prime minister last month, according to a recent poll. Despite a few catcalls … Read more

‘There is no stop’ to talks on LatAm trade deal: Commission says – POLITICO

‘There is no stop’ to talks on LatAm trade deal: Commission says – POLITICO

Macron, under siege from French farmers who oppose the Mercosur trade accord, wants to raise the issue at an informal summit of EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, along with other grievances that have sparked a wave of rural protests across France. Speaking in Sweden on Tuesday, Macron said he would discuss his concerns with … Read more