French President Emmanuel Macron remains cautious over the EU-Mercosur trade deal. Photo: Ludovic MARIN / POOL/AFPSource: AFPFrench President Emmanuel Macron said Saturday that a long-delayed trade deal between the EU and four Latin American nations "is not possible" if they do not follow European environmental policies. The EU in 2019 reached a trade deal with the Mercosur bloc, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, after 20 years of negotiations. However, the deal has yet to be ratified, with concerns over Brazil's environmental record under former president Jair Bolsonaro a major concern. The trade pact needs to be ratified individually by all 27 EU member states before it comes into effect.

Source: Daily Nation February 25, 2023 11:16 UTC