Trade and Investment Policy, Publication

Mobility turnaround slowed down. The EU-Mercosur Agreement and the car industry

Cars and containers in the export port

EU-Mercosur Agreement

The study, published by a broad coalition of civil society organisations, entitled ‘Mobility transition slowed down. The EU-Mercosur Agreement and the car industry’ examines the relationship of the envisaged EU Association Agreement with Mercosur – the confederation of states from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay
and Uruguay – on the car industry. It analyses the close interdependence of trade policy with the automotive sector using the example of one of the most problematic EU trade treaties.

Previous European trade policy favours a fossil-based, resource-intensive and socially unjust trading system and cements
a transport system geared towards combustion engines and private transport. The upcoming agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries exemplifies a backward-looking mobility and trade policy.

The publication examines the close cooperation between the European Commission and the associations of the automotive industry during the EU-Mercosur negotiations and analyses the provisions of the contract text, which particularly favour the European car industry. It also shows which environmental, social and human rights risks these agreements entail in detail.

Therefore, in our movements for a fair trade policy, climate justice and mobility transition, the links between auto lobbyism, fossil mobility and trade policy must be discussed and our criticism publicly reinforced.

The summary shows key findings, recommendations and outlook.

Print copies of the study are unfortunately out of print. You are welcome to use the pdf download option.

More information, podcasts and videos on the EU-Mercosur Agreement can be found in our campaign: Stop EU-Mercosur

Photo: geogif, iStock, Cars and containers waiting in port for export

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