16.09.: More than 50 organisations and social movements from 17 countries in Latin America and the European Union are launching a campaign today calling for an end to trade agreements between the two regions. The aim is to make visible the environmental degradation, social injustices, health risks and growing inequalities caused by these agreements and to send a clear message to policy makers: No more toxic trade deals!
The campaign is prompted by the recent announcement by the European Commission to push ahead with the ratification of two key trade agreements: the extended EU-Mexico Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Agreement. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the first trade agreement between the EU and a country in Latin America (Mexico). It's time.
"The European Union's trade policy consolidates the unequal trade relations between it and the countries of Latin America. The last 25 years have shown that the economic model promoted by these agreements leads to environmental degradation, a weakening of local farms and smallholder agriculture in Latin America, but also in the EU. These agreements are poisonous for good life on both sides of the Atlantic and for fair trade between continents", explains Bettina Müller, Trade and Investment Policy Officer of PowerShift e.V.
The campaign, which will be launched simultaneously in at least 17 countries and in six languages, will highlight the impact of these agreements on the agricultural sector, industry, working conditions, the environment, health and access to basic services. It highlights the experiences and research results of affected communities. Whether deforestation of the Amazon, pollution from mining, the loss of small farms or the erosion of workers' rights, the campaign amplifies those voices that have long been ignored in international negotiations.
The objectives of the campaign are:
- Raise awareness of the harmful impact of existing and planned trade agreements between the EU and Latin America on people, the environment and democracy.
- The mobilisation of citizens on both continents against the EU-Mercosur and EU-Mexico agreements.
- A halt to the signing of new trade agreements and a rethinking of international trade based on justice, sustainability and human rights.
After 25 years of broken promises and growing corporate power, our message is clear: These agreements are harmful. They're unfair. They are not sustainable. On both sides of the Atlantic we say: Stop toxic trade deals! Further information can also be found here: https://europeantradejustice.org/stop-toxic-trade-deals-campaign/
If you have any questions, please contact:
Bettina Müller, Trade and Investment Policy Officer at PowerShift, bettina.mueller@power-shift.de, 0174 4537604
