What the EU-Mercosur deal might mean for the environment

""create more business opportunities""

""give [European] companies better access to critical raw materials.""

""promote shared values and sustainable development,""

""This agreement basically goes against the EU's [climate] commitments,""

Ursula von der Leyen will travel to Paraguay to formally sign the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement after EU leaders approved the deal by qualified majority. Once approved by the European Parliament and ratified by both sides, the accord will open markets to most goods, including cars, machinery and chemicals from Europe and agricultural products and raw materials, such as rare earth metals, from South America. Farmers across EU capitals have protested the deal. The European Commission framed the pact as promoting sustainable development, while environmental analysts warn of accelerated deforestation, higher emissions, pesticide trade and biodiversity loss.

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