This agreement was reached at almost the same time as Mercosur, the huge EU - South America trade deal. Hopefully the American electorate is paying attention.

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827a 23 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

Important to remember that the entire Mercosur block has a lower GDP than just California, and around the same GDP as Texas and New York, separately.

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usrnm 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Mercosur has been under construction for more than two decades, it has little to do with Trump

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selectodude 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Mercosur has been on ice for more than two decades because the US wasn’t a huge fan.

Now that we’ve shredded the relationship with both areas, they signed on the dotted line.

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hvb2 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

It passing does

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mantas 4 hours ago | parent [-]

I don’t think so. This is not first time euro bureaucrats pull off shit like this. Apply cutthroat regulations locally and push through cheap imports. Then cry about local industries struggling. Rinse and repeat.

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hvb2 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I'm not sure it would've happened without the US messing around. Other countries look more favorable now than they did before.

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fakedang 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

To be fair, Europe is tired of its farmers rioting and the general public welcomes the trade deal. If the farmers are crying about struggling against competition, I have a tiny violin to play for them.

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mantas 3 hours ago | parent [-]

Maybe lift all the green deal stuff on our own farmers while at it? Let’s make it a fair competition.

What’s next, let in shitty US food?

I don’t see general public welcoming it. Most people don’t seem to even know about it. Out of those who do know, many don't seem to be happy about it.

Also, fucking over our farmers in unstable world does not seem like a smart thing to do. It’s time to do opposite and double-down on sovereignty on all fronts. And food sovereignty was one of very few sectors where EU got it right. Our food is not cheap, but we got plenty locally and quality is pretty good.

	▲	oaiey 3 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I do not see any empty fields left and right. Despite farmers complaining since 30 years about every single trade deal. Honestly I have not seen an unused field ever. And as long the fields are producing food this is just a change in income or structure of an industry.
	▲	hvb2 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		> Also, fucking over our farmers in unstable world does not seem like a smart thing to do. Everyone can solve this for their own farmers. Just buy local, problem solved. Does that mean some things might be a bit more expensive? Yes, you're paying to keep them around just like you might want someone to pay for you to be employed. If we don't it's a race to the bottom for everyone.

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SecretDreams 4 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

> Hopefully the American electorate is paying attention.

*Hopefully*

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mantas 4 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Eh. As a citizen of EU member, I’m not happy about Mercosur deal at all. Hopefully fellow euro electorate is paying attention too. But giving how EU bureaucracy is shielded from the feedback loop, I doubt any outcome in national and EP elections could change anything anytime soon.

I feel the same way about some euro leaders pointing to China as possible alternative to US. Fuck no. Sometimes it feels like some people here want to pull off the same shit that is going on in China or US and just wait for a good opportunity. E.g. legendary chat control. But many people pretend it’s all fine and dandy just because.

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azan_ 3 hours ago | parent [-]

Why are you not happy about Mercosur? I'm from EU and I think it's a great deal!

	▲	oaiey 3 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		It is a trade deal. It is always bad for some, good for others. We are at a crossroads if we continue with globalism in the remaining world or if everyone is on its own. I prefer the first. The EU, Canada, Japan/Korea/other Asian states form a great alliance not associated to China or the US. Will not help military wise, but will help market wise.
	▲	hippo22 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Trade deals with poorer countries usually hurt the working class of the richer countries and benefit the wealthy. It's basically freedom to perform labor arbitrage.