Taoiseach leaves door open for backing of Mercosur deal after EU concessions

"Taoiseach Micheál Martin has left the door open for the Government to back the Mercosur trade deal after the European Union made concessions this week in a bid to secure support for the controversial agreement. Mr Martin was speaking to reporters in Shanghai on the third day of his state visit to China following a move by the EU Commission to link the deal to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding."

"Mr Martin was speaking to reporters in Shanghai on the third day of his state visit to China following a move by the EU Commission to link the deal to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding."

Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated the Government may support the Mercosur trade deal after the European Union offered concessions. The EU Commission linked the trade agreement to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding as part of efforts to secure wider backing for the controversial pact. Mr Martin made the remarks to reporters in Shanghai during the third day of his state visit to China. The linkage to CAP funding reflects EU-level bargaining to address agricultural concerns and to persuade skeptical member states. The possibility of Irish government support depends on how CAP-related guarantees are implemented and perceived domestically.

Read at Irish Independent