At a time when discussions between the EU and Mercosur seem to be gathering pace with a view to finalising the trade agreement, a number of Argentine trade unionists have travelled to Brussels to meet European legislators.
Andrés Larisgoitia, representative of the Argentine Workers’ Central Union (CTA), Marta Scarpato, international coordinator of the CTA, and Marita Gonzalez, secretary of the CGT for the Republic of Argentina, consider the agreement to be “unfair” and “unbalanced” in its current form.
In an interview with EUROPE on Tuesday 28 November, they explain the problems with the text and how it will affect Mercosur’s economic sectors. (Interview by Isalia Stieffatre)
Agence Europe: As things stand, how do you see the text of the agreement?
Andrés Larisgoitia: This agreement is not balanced. It is unfair and far from beneficial for the Mercosur countries.
Marita Gonzalez: It is unbalanced, as there are no guarantees for the respect of workers’ rights or for environmental issues (see EUROPE 13139/1). There are no sanctions and no clear procedure for dealing with breaches. We are convinced that this agreement will kill off industry in Argentina: our industrialisation is in its infancy and needs to be protected. It cannot be equated with European industry.
What would need to be changed to reach a fairer agreement?
A. L.: They keep saying that the text of the agreement must not be reopened, but in reality, they are already renegotiating things that have already been agreed, so that’s not true. We’re against the agreement as it stands, so we think it should be reopened anyway.
M. G.: The subject of PGIs (protected geographical indications) is a problem. Many local products that use European PGI names will now have to pay or change their name. We understand the importance of protecting these indications, but it will still hurt our businesses.
Marta Scarpato: This agreement will also pose problems in the fisheries sector. In Paraguay, for example, it’s a sector that’s still very much a family business, and it’s in danger of being killed off by the agreement. European boats will monopolise territorial waters and take over from local fishermen.
Do you think the criticism levelled by some European countries at the environmental impact of the agreement is exaggerated?
M. G.: Europe’s environmental policy is hypocritical. We obviously agree that we need an agreement that respects the environment, but it is not up to the countries of the South to bear the responsibility for climate change. It is a policy that perpetuates the asymmetry between countries. On the question of the pesticides used in Argentina, for example, which are so heavily criticised: where do they come from? Who sells them to us? European companies.
M. S.: Europe is using its own environmental rules, developed after the 2019 agreement, to impose additional taxes and standards on our exports. We are in favour of an environmental transition, but we are still a developing country. The rules need to be adapted accordingly. This is not the case at present.
Do you think that Javier Milei’s accession to power will have an impact on the current negotiations?
A. L.: For the moment, nobody knows what Milei will do. He might defend Mercosur, just as he might defend a bilateral agreement with Argentina. On the other hand, we know that Paraguay and Uruguay would like to be able to negotiate their own agreements on their own, outside Mercosur. Brazil, for its part, wants to save this agreement.
M. G.: Milei has already turned to the United States and Israel as his preferred partners. It is possible that he will sign with these two countries, but that he will continue to negotiate with the Union. We don’t know. The negotiation process is extremely tight and that poses a problem. If an agreement is signed against the wishes of associations, trade unions or public opinion, it will be automatically rejected.