Criticism of the EU-Mercosur Agreement

The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP) warns of the serious economic, ecological, and social implications of the EU-Mercosur Agreement, thus demanding an end to the negotiations: “For indigenous communities in South America – whose territories are often used as a basis for raw material extraction and agriculture – the EU-Mercosur Agreement is a threat to their existence. The agreement promotes land grabbing, environmental destruction, and the violation of the rights of Indigenous peoples. It is the epitome of a policy that pits climate protection against human rights,” criticized Jan Königshausen, STP expert on Indigenous peoples.

It is possible that the controversial free trade agreement will be now be concluded in the course of the Mercosur Summit, which is currently taking place in Uruguay, after 25 years. While the EU Commission is keeping a low profile, there are increasing signs that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen could announce an agreement there. Von der Leyen had arrived in Latin America on Thursday, and she had announced via her social media channels that the finish line for an agreement was in sight. “This would be the cementing and tightening of a trade policy between the EU and the South American states of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay that is based on post-colonial structures, on the exploitation of local populations, and the destruction of important ecosystems and, as a consequence, the global climate,” Königshausen said.

The EU-Mercosur Agreement has been criticized for years – and there is growing resistance even in Europe: France, Poland, Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands have made their criticism public. More than 400 civil society organizations, unions, and associations – including the Society for Threatened Peoples and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) – have issued a joint statement warning of the consequences. Further, the European consumer association BEUC and Copa-Cogeca, the association of European farmers, fear massive disadvantages for farmers and consumers.

“The EU should not hide behind economic interests, but should finally agree on clear standards for trade agreements, to ensure respect for human rights worldwide and to contribute to everyone’s well-being. The Mercosur Agreement must not be ratified as long as it is not possible to secure the rights of Indigenous peoples, climate protection, and social standards all over the world,” Königshausen demanded. “The negotiations must be halted as long as there are no indigenous representatives present at the negotiating table – and on an equal footing.”