Macron in Brazil to relaunch relationship, avoids thorny issue of Mercosur deal
War in Ukraine, attractiveness of investment and exchange of tips to decarbonise societies will feature on the agenda of the French President Emmanuel Macron’s talks with President Lula during his Brazil trip from Tuesday to Thursday (26-28 March), in an attempt to rekindle the relationship.
“This Brazilian moment comes after a four-year eclipse and a virtual freeze in political relations between our two countries during [Jair] Bolsonaro’s presidency”, the Elysée told reporters, as Emmanuel Macron is about to fly out to meet with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who came to power a year ago.
Lula’s election relaunched the relationship between his country and the Europeans after three years of extreme populism in power in Brazil.
The country is due to host the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro this autumn and the COP30 climate summit in Belém in 2025.
While economic and trade issues are on the agenda, however, the controversial EU-Mercosur agreement will not be included in the discussions, the Elysée said, explaining that the matter is discussed between the EU and Brazil, and that it was not intended to be raised at a bilateral meeting.
While Brazil has said it is ready to sign the deal, France has remained the sole holdout in Europe speaking against the trade agreement, saying it wants to protect its own farmers – a critical issue in the bloc at the moment, as agri producers their interest to the street against European regulation, just a few months before June’s EU elections.
Macron has planned to discuss international crises with his counterpart, including the war in Ukraine and the war between Hamas and Israel to try “seek points of convergence” to end both conflicts, the Elysée pointed out.
Brazil has been advocating for an end of the war as soon as possible between Ukraine and Russia, and proposed a peace plan to that effect, which spurred worry among Europeans, who consider such a stance to potentially end in favour of Moscow.
The country is seen as a deal-maker in the drafting process of a Peace Formula for Ukraine shaped by Kyiv, where the ‘Global South’’s support is key.
Regarding the Israël-Hamas war, “the main thing will be to present and explain our position”, said the Elysée.
Lula sparked controversy on 18 February during a speech to the press from Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), where he was attending an African Union summit. He accused Israel of committing “genocide” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, a term that France has always rejected.
Attracting Brazilian investors to France
The issue of energy transition will also be on the agenda. According to the Elysée, Brazil and France are among the countries with the “most decarbonised” energy mix in the world, France due to “nuclear power”, Brazil due to “biofuels”.
The two leaders are expected to set a common course for the next two years in order to defend a strong ambition to protect the environment.
Macron will also “take up his pilgrim’s staff” to “preach the attractiveness” of France abroad and.
“Brazil is home to some very large, major industrial groups. Brazilian investment in France is currently too low”, said the Elysée. Macron will take the opportunity to invite Brazilian investors to the 2024 Choose France summit in order to strengthen economic partnerships between the two countries.
Finally, in São Paulo, Macron and Lula will inaugurate Brazil’s first Pasteur Institute branch.
On this occasion, they will announce an “extremely strong health package” in terms of France’s commitment to Brazil and Latin America, the Elysée said, without giving any more details.
[Edited by Aurélie Pugnet]
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