Macron "opposed to EU-Mercosur FTA"... disagrees with Lula

French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed his existing opposition to the five-year-old free trade deal between the European Union, Mercosur and the South American Common Market ahead of a final settlement, saying "not like this."

"France will not sign the EU-Mercosur agreement as it is," Macron told reporters after a summit with Argentine President Javier Milay in Buenos Aires before attending the G20 summit on the 17th local time. "We will protect our agriculture and farmers."

Argentina's President Milay also expressed "discontent" with the terms of the current agreement.

Nearly two decades of FTA negotiations between the EU and Mercosur reached a principled agreement in 2019, but they have not crossed the gateway to signing between the parties as the EU demands the addition of new conditions such as environmental protection obligations.

In particular, the French government has not budged from its opposition, citing concerns about damage to its farmers due to unfair competition and not reflecting climate crisis issues, including preservation of the Amazon, in the agreement.

On the other hand, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula Dásouva, who worked hard on FTA negotiations between the two sides, sent a hopeful message at the G20 summit, saying, "If Europe is ready, we will be able to sign it in November."