A Positive Signal for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement?
The Presidents of Argentina and France are aiming to strengthen cooperation on critical raw materials. On the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, Argentina’s Javier Milei and France’s Emmanuel Macron discussed a potential bilateral agreement focused on the development of critical minerals, according to the Buenos Aires Times.
The deal would encourage French investment and financial support for lithium and copper extraction in Argentina, as well as joint research projects to explore new mineral deposits. Nuclear energy was also on the agenda, with France positioning itself as a partner for Argentina’s nuclear expansion, reports the Argentine newspaper Perfil.
The long-delayed free trade agreement between the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and the European Union was another key topic of discussion in Nice. While the deal could significantly improve Europe’s access to vital raw materials, it faces resistance, particularly in France, where farmers are concerned about competition from lower-cost agricultural imports from South America. Still, with some adjustments, the agreement could be signed before the end of the year, Perfil adds.
Photo: filrom via Canva
