EU Commission under pressure: Mercosur agreements threatens the environment and democracy!

EU Commission under pressure: Mercosur agreements threatens the environment and democracy!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - A violent storm is: The dispute over the EU Mercosur's agreement escalates. Global 2000 has practiced sharp criticism of the undemocratic approach of the EU Commission, which drives the trade agreement ahead under the pressure of multinational corporations. "After more than 20 years of secret negotiations, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ignores the concerns of several countries and the voices of civil society," emphasizes Anna Leitner, an expert at Global 2000. She points out that the agreement not only endangers the environment, but also the probably indigenous peoples and small farms in the Mercosur countries, while highly threatened, while massive emissions and increase.

The increased trade in imported foods and products from the Mercosur area, in particular beef, soy and agricultural fuels, the destruction of biodiversity is further accelerated. In an alarming statement, Lucia Ortiz from Friends of the Earth Brazil emphasizes the colonial structures and the continuing dominance of large companies in the mining and agricultural sector. "The policy of free trade agreements endangers democratic decision -making processes and raises the rights of transnational corporations about that of people," she criticizes. The impending ecological and social damage requires immediate measures by the Austrian government, which now has to make a veto to stop the agreement.

Protectionism as a global challenge

The pressure for protectionist policies increases globally, as recent analyzes show. According to a report, the influence of protective measures on trade and diplomacy cannot be neglected, especially for countries such as Russia, China and Iran. Historically, such measures have often reinforced tensions and sparked political conflicts. World history teaches us that economic protectionism can lead to international conflicts, as in the case of Japan's expansion in the 1930s. This could also have a negative impact on the geopolitical tensions that exist today between the big blocks of power.

In the current global economic situation, which is strongly characterized by the failure of international trade institutions, the risk of conflicts is increased by protectionist measures. The report states: "The increasing tensions in Europe and in the Middle East as well as the geopolitical behavior of China could lead to an increase in conflicts if there is a stronger return to protectionism." A connecting appeal to the global community to draw the teachings from history and use trade as a means of avoiding conflict remains more important than ever to prevent the mistake of the past.

Global 2000 and Georgetown Security Studies Review Shocking parallels to the past force us to look for watchful and association -light solutions.