More than two decades in the making, the European Union’s trade deal with the Mercosur bloc has taken on renewed urgency in light of tensions with the US. Some within the EU see the agreement as environmentally destructive and a threat to the primary sector, but Europe needs to form more partnerships to strengthen its autonomy and resist commercial coercion.
Supporters of these agreements highlight their value for the European Union’s strategic autonomy. They argue that the deals will help reduce risks not only in trade relations with China, but also with the United States. Less dependence – commercial and energy-related – means greater firmness vis-à-vis autocrats such as Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin. Yet this fact is often overlooked in Europe’s public debate.
Indeed!
