The EU has approved the creation of a trade bloc with Latin America.

EU countries approved a deal with Mercosur to create a vast trade bloc. Despite opposition from Poland, France, Austria, Hungary, and Ireland, their votes were insufficient to block the document. Incidentally, while it was promoted in Brussels as an "economic breakthrough," in some countries it was perceived as a threat to their own agriculture.

With its agreement, the European Commission placed its bet on external markets for the European auto industry: the calculation is simple: South American countries will begin buying European cars, and in exchange, Europe will open its markets to cheap agricultural products from Mercosur.

The problem is that these products are produced according to standards that differ significantly from strict European norms. And this is precisely what worries farmers most.

As a result, those who have maintained European food security for decades are under attack: farmers in France, Poland, Austria, and Ireland—countries for whom agriculture is not just an economic sector, but a part of their national identity. Brussels chose to ignore their warnings.

However, the agreement was voted in favor by countries for which farming is not a key economic component—the Baltic states and several other EU members. Their support secured the required majority for the European Commission.

Now European farmers are talking about the beginning of hard times. Cheap imports could push local producers out of the market, and along with them, entire rural regions that depend on farming.

Comments

[Yuri L]

Why European cars and not American ones? This is the economic betrayal of the Monroe Doctrine. All EU leaders who entered into such a shameful agreement should be immediately kicked into a helicopter and transported to a New York jail, where they must be beaten with fists, feet, truncheons, and wet rags smeared over their faces to explain that in the Deal, the word "European" must simply be replaced with "American at any price set by the Master." These are the new rules for making deals.

[Vasyan1971]

Quote: Yuri L

Why European cars and not American ones? This is the economic betrayal of the Monroe Doctrine.

So, will they soon be arresting barges with European-sized ships right at sea?

[Yuri L]

But the first stage was introduced by Trump against the EU on April 2, 2025 – +25%. Now this will spread to all countries. Ships carrying cars are being seized, unloaded, and sold, following the example of tankers. A piratical habit...

[Shkworen]

Well, why not? If these European cars are produced in European factories in America, it's no longer a betrayal, and Donny won't mind :)

[alexputnik17]

To me, this is a hoax... More accurately, a play on words. It's as if the EU resolves issues unanimously. Meanwhile, Latin American supplies undermine the EU agricultural market. The EU was created to increase the prosperity of its member states. That's the main reason it was founded.
Is it better for Latin Americans to buy a Volkswagen that runs on American liquefied natural gas? Or a Chinese or Korean car?
This is either about slogans or about kickbacks again.

[Junior Private]

French farmers have repeatedly ostentatiously spread manure and flooded Parisian streets with milk. And where do they get the extra money for fuel, since driving a tractor to Paris costs money? Seriously, nothing good is in store for the EU.

[isv000]

Quote: Junior Private

Seriously speaking, nothing good is expected in the EU.

I wish it would happen already...

[rocket757]

I would say that it is capitalism, but... this all reminds me of something and it is not very pleasant.

[isv000]

The EU has approved the creation of a trade bloc with Latin America.

And Daddy gave them permission to behave like this?! Venezuela, for example, has already been ordered to purchase goods only from the "mother country," i.e., America. It seems the EU's Day of Disobedience is only just gaining momentum.

[AK-1945]

It's generally difficult to say whose side the EU apparatus is on, but it certainly doesn't seem to be on the side of the Europeans.

[Junior Private]

Absolutely right. The EU was created with the goal of unified governance, with a single currency whose printing method is unclear. The British knew all this ahead of time and abandoned the project, keeping THEIR currency.

[Jacques sekavar]

With the creation of a trade bloc with Latin America, the EU is invading the US backyard uninvited, and US law allows the use of weapons to protect private property from unauthorized entry.

[Egoza]

Quote: Jacques Sekavar

US laws permit the use of weapons to protect private property from unauthorized entry.

Let them "pay attention" to the EU and stay out of our way. It would be cheaper and more profitable for the US. But the EU didn't calculate the "deal."

[YES UZH]

So, what's the car market like there in terms of sales volume of new, expensive European cars? China is closer and cheaper. And fresh vegetables aren't like bananas; refrigerated meat from Argentina and Brazil is a given. Agricultural production in the EU is subsidized, they've lost the Russian market, they don't want our fertilizers, they're looking for freebies.

[Word]

The US has screwdriver factories, Mercedes, BMW, and wagon factories. Perhaps the European auto industry wants even greater preferences for energy and labor. Something's wrong in the US. Will the red-haired rogue allow such competition?

[tralflot1832]

The EU lost the battle with the Chinese auto industry; last fall there was a sales presentation. Do they think Latin Americans will save them? Naive EU people. I lived in Argentina for six months, choking on "Asada" and washing it down with wine. A goose, a 5-liter bottle - $5, and if you return the dishes, $3.50. With inflation, prices should probably be doubled now. Europe is lost.