Quote from Alex bobby on June 25, 2025, 6:32 AM

Brazilian Ambassador Slams ‘Disinformation Campaign’ Against EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva defends agreement before European lawmakers, criticises “unreasonable demands” and “double standards” from critics.

Brazil’s ambassador to the European Union, Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, has launched a forceful defence of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, accusing its opponents of engaging in a disinformation campaign, applying double standards, and demanding unrealistic concessions from Mercosur countries.

During a hearing before the European Parliament’s trade committee on Tuesday, the ambassador spoke candidly about the growing criticism aimed at the long-negotiated trade deal signed in December 2024 between the European Union and the four Mercosur countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

A Deal Years in the Making

The EU-Mercosur agreement, if ratified by all member states, would create a massive free trade zone encompassing 750 million people and nearly 20% of global GDP. Supporters argue it would strengthen political ties, open new markets, and reinforce the EU’s influence in Latin America.

But the deal has been met with stiff opposition from several EU countries, most vocally France, where farmers and environmental activists warn of unfair competition and lax environmental standards in Mercosur nations. Those concerns have stalled ratification across the bloc.

“Check the Veracity of the Narratives”

Ambassador Da Costa e Silva took aim at what he called “narratives not based on facts,” particularly in relation to food safety and animal health.

“The occurrence of animal diseases is much higher in the EU than in Brazil,” he told lawmakers, holding up documents to back his claims. “It shows the need to check the veracity off some narratives.”

He emphasised that nothing in the agreement would restrict the EU or its member states from enforcing sanitary or phytosanitary measures to protect human, animal, or plant health.

“This agreement preserves fully the regulatory autonomy of both sides,” he added, in response to fears that the pact would weaken EU safety standards.

Accusations of Double Standards

The ambassador criticised the unbalanced nature of the debate, arguing that Mercosur countries are being held to higher standards than other EU trading partners. He compared the scrutiny of the Mercosur deal with the more lenient reception given to similar EU agreements with Chile, Mexico, India, and even the United States.

“Some people want to apply a unique benchmark to Mercosur and ask us to engage in an endless loop of negotiations,” Da Costa e Silva said. “It’s not reasonable to treat us differently.”

Farmers’ Fears: Fact or Fiction?

One of the most persistent criticisms comes from European farmers, who fear that cheaper agricultural products from Brazil and its Mercosur partners will flood EU markets and undermine local producers. But the ambassador rejected these claims as overblown, saying that market access for sensitive products is tightly restricted in the agreement.

“The access we received in products considered sensitive by European producers is very limited,” he said, underscoring that Brazilian agricultural exports would still face strict quotas and regulatory barriers.

He also pointed out that Brazilian environmental regulations are often more demanding than those in the EU. For instance, he explained that Brazilian farmers are required to preserve a significant portion of their land as native vegetation:

“The share of land that our farmers need to set aside for the protection of native vegetation varies from 20% in southern Brazil to 80% in the Amazon region. This is far beyond the requirements asked of European farmers.”

Political Headwinds in the EU

Despite the ambassador’s efforts, the political climate in Europe remains turbulent. Recent farmers' protests, fears over deforestation in the Amazon, and concerns about labor rights have made the Mercosur agreement a lightning rod for controversy. Governments are under pressure to prioritise sustainability, food security, and national interests, especially with upcoming European elections.

Still, Da Costa e Silva insisted that ratifying the Mercosur deal is in the EU’s strategic interest, both economically and geopolitically. It would signal a commitment to open markets and a stronger partnership with Latin America at a time when global trade alliances are shifting.

Looking Ahead

The Brazilian ambassador’s appearance in Brussels was a calculated effort to reset the narrative around the Mercosur agreement, painting the deal as fair, balanced, and long overdue. However, with opposition still strong in several EU member states, the future of the agreement remains uncertain.

What is clear is that tensions over trade, climate, and sovereignty continue to shape the EU’s external policies. As Da Costa e Silva noted, only by confronting disinformation with facts and transparency can meaningful progress be made.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, Brazil’s ambassador Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva urged EU lawmakers to move past misinformation and assess the Mercosur deal on its merits. As political resistance lingers, he called for fairness, facts, and a balanced approach to strengthen EU-Latin America ties.

Meta Description:
Brazil’s EU ambassador defends the Mercosur trade deal, calling out disinformation and unfair criticism. He urges European lawmakers to assess the agreement based on facts, not fear.