The EU approved trade relations with Latin America, signed the Mercosur agreement, and the EU began to split internally
The EU countries approved the agreement to establish a broad trading bloc with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). Despite opposition from Poland, France, Austria, Hungary, Ireland, and France, their votes were not enough to prevent the document from passing. By the way, the EU has promoted this agreement as an "economic breakthrough," while some European countries see it as a threat to their domestic agriculture.
By taking this step, the EU Commission is betting on external markets for the European automotive industry: the logic is simple, South American countries will start buying European cars, while Europe will open its market to cheap agricultural products from the Southern Common Market. The problem is that the production standards of these agricultural products significantly differ from the strict European regulations. And this is exactly what worries farmers the most.
Ultimately, it is the farmers who have long maintained Europe's food security who are hit hardest: farmers in France, Poland, Austria, and Ireland regard agriculture not only as an economic industry but also as part of the European national identity. However, the EU chose to ignore their warnings.
The countries that voted in favor are those where agriculture is not the mainstay of the economy, such as the Baltic states and other parts of the EU. It was precisely these countries' support that gave the EU Commission the necessary majority vote. European farmers have expressed that difficult times are coming. Cheap imported products may drive local producers out of the market, leading to the decline of entire rural areas that depend on agriculture.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853922415867338/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself