The last months have shown more clearly than ever that Europe needs new, strong and reliable partnerships, including with countries of the Mercosur region. But these partnerships must be built on high social, environmental and labour standards, mutual respect and cooperation on equal footing. Even with additional safeguards and side arrangements negotiated by some Member States, the EU-Mercosur deal in its current form does not meet these criteria and risks deepening environmental and social harm.
Co-Chair of the European Green Party Vula Tsetsi said:
‘The European Greens have long raised serious concerns about the EU-Mercosur agreement, including its impact on deforestation, labour rights and environmental protections. The structure of this deal risks reinforcing extractive export models in Mercosur countries, while exposing EU farmers and workers to competition from products that do not meet European health, social and environmental standards. We recognise that some see this agreement primarily through a geopolitical lens. But strategic partnerships should strengthen resilience, sustainability and fairness - not undermine them. In the context of Trump’s tariffs and intensifying global competition, Europe’s economic strength should be built through a strong Single Market and targeted public and private investment, not by lowering standards.’
Ciarán Cuffe, Co-Chair of the European Green Party, said:
‘Europe can and should deepen its relationships with Mercosur countries. However, cooperation must be based on climate responsibility, social justice and mutual respect, not on triggering a race to the bottom for farmers, workers and the environment. This agreement was not designed with people, farmers or the planet at its core. It is misaligned with the EU’s climate commitments, risks accelerating deforestation, and creates unfair competition by opening our markets to products, produced under standards we would not accept at home. Additional subsidies or safeguards cannot compensate for a model that is structurally unbalanced and environmentally risky.'
