Externe Publikationen

Playing with fire - Brazil's dilemma in the EU-Mercosur trade agreement

Stender, Frederik
Externe Publikationen (2019)

in: Diplomatisches Magazin 12/2019, 40-43

The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which was agreed in June, is already drawing criticism even before its ratification. The anticipated erosion of environmental protection and human rights in Brazil in particular have roused public resistance. However, in its admonishment, Europe fails to address all sides of the issue. By concluding this agreement, Brazil is putting itself at risk in terms of development policy. This is because even though its agricultural exports may benefit from duty-free access to the European Market (EU) market, the consequences for the country’s economy have far greater implications than the threat to the Amazon rainforest.