German Chancellor Angela Merkel has, for the first time, expressed her 'serious doubts' about continuing the trade agreement between the European Union and the South American Mercosur countries, due to the forest fires and illegal logging in the Brazilian rainforest.
In a conversation with Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Merkel, who is also the rotating EU president for this half-year, said that she does not support the deal 'in its current form.'
The pact, between the EU and the Mercosur states Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, would create the largest free trade zone in the world. The free trade agreement was signed by the EU last year, but in order to be definitively ratified, it still needs approval from all national parliaments. That does not seem likely.
The Austrian parliament, and very recently the Dutch parliament, have rejected the agreement in its current form. Other countries, such as Belgium, France, Ireland, and Luxembourg, are also resistant. So far, especially Germany has been one of the main initiators of this agreement, but apparently Merkel is now also stepping back.
Environmental organizations have been pointing out for many years that the Brazilian government is doing nothing against the logging of the historic Amazon rainforests and the large-scale illegal timber trade. Large areas of forest are also being burned down to clear land for maize and soy cultivation for the animal feed industry.
According to the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE), more than 9,000 square kilometers of Brazilian rainforest were cut down last year—a rise of about 35%. This despite assurances from Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro that his government protects the rainforest. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) also points to the risks of large-scale South American (cheap) meat exports to EU countries.
The German Chancellor now has "major concerns" about "ongoing deforestation" and "fires," which have increased in recent weeks in the Amazon. This is the first time Angela Merkel has voiced such criticism of the deal. French President Emmanuel Macron has already threatened not to ratify the agreement if the Brazilian government under Jair Bolsonaro does not take the necessary measures to protect the rainforest.