During a state visit to Paris on Thursday, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called on French President Emmanuel Macron to support the long-delayed trade agreement between the

European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries.

France has consistently opposed ratifying the deal, citing concerns that an influx of cheaper agricultural products from Mercosur nations—Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay—would threaten European farmers.

"Open your heart a little to this opportunity to finalise this agreement with our dear Mercosur," Lula appealed during a joint press appearance. He argued the deal would be a powerful response to growing global protectionism, referencing trade tariffs introduced under former U.S. President Donald Trump.

"This agreement would be the strongest response our regions could offer in the face of the uncertainty caused by the return of unilateralism and tariff protectionism," Lula said.

Macron, however, maintained his reservations. He emphasized the disparity between European and Mercosur environmental regulations and questioned the fairness of exposing French farmers to such competition.

"I don't know how to explain to my farmers that, at a time when I am asking them to comply with more standards, I am opening up my market on a massive scale to people who do not comply at all," Macron said. "That is why I said earlier we must improve this deal."

While countries like Germany, Spain, and Portugal have voiced strong support for the agreement, France has remained firmly opposed to its current version. For the trade pact to take effect, it must be approved by at least 15 of the 27 EU member states, representing a minimum of 65% of the bloc’s population. Photo by Celette, Wikimedia commons.