How the EU-Mercosur deal could hit the climate

"After a majority of EU leaders gave the green light last week to the free-trade deal that was 25 years in the making, von der Leyen said it would "create more business opportunities" and "give [European] companies better access to critical raw materials." Once approved by the European Parliament and ratified by both the EU and Mercosur, the massive accord often dubbed a "cows-for-cars" trade deal will open up markets on both continents to almost all goods, including cars, machinery and chemicals from Europe."

"The European Commission, which negotiated the text, has previously said the deal will "promote shared values and sustainable development," helping to fight climate change and protect the planet. But environmental analysts have pointed out that the reality is less than ideal. "This agreement basically goes against the EU's [climate] commitments," Audrey Changoe, trade policy coordinator at Climate Action Network Europe, told DW. The concerns she listed include accelerated deforestation, increased carbon emissions, trade in harmful pesticides and the erosion of biodiversity."

Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Paraguay to sign the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement amid protests by thousands of farmers across the EU. The agreement would open markets between the EU and Mercosur to almost all goods, including European cars, machinery and chemicals and South American agricultural products and raw materials such as rare earth metals. EU leaders approved the deal, which still requires European Parliament approval and ratification by both the EU and Mercosur. The European Commission frames the agreement as promoting shared values and sustainable development. Environmental analysts warn the deal could accelerate deforestation, increase carbon emissions, expand trade in harmful pesticides, and erode biodiversity.

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