Tusk said he discussed the Mercosur agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of Thursday’s “coalition of the willing” meeting in Paris.
“We will be against,” he said of the pact, adding that “many indications are that others will not join this blocking.” Macron told him Poland and France would “certainly” work together on “effective defensive mechanisms,” Tusk said, adding, “We are already close to the finish.”
The prime minister said the mechanisms would allow the EU to impose tariffs or suspend imports if “too much cheap beef” from South America enters Europe.
Tusk also said he spoke with Macron about climate policy, vowing Poland would not accept a July European Commission proposal to cut CO2 emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040 if it could be passed by qualified majority.
“We want this at the European Council, to require a unified position, then Poland’s voice will matter. If necessary, [we will use] blocking solutions that are not favorable to us,” he said.
On Wednesday, the College of EU Commissioners adopted the Mercosur trade agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, announcing a safety brake for product surges and possible compensation for farmers.
France and Poland oppose signing the deal, citing concerns about opening the EU market to food from South America with lower standards than those applied to EU farmers. Government spokesman Adam Szłapka said the pact covers more than agriculture, but that issue is crucial for Poland and drives its opposition.
The Commission argues Mercosur is the only significant Latin American partner without a preferential trade agreement with the EU, which is the bloc’s second-largest partner after China, ahead of the United States.
(jh)
Source: PAP