- 4 hours ago
Mercosur, India és az EU: Kereskedelmi ambíciók politikai ellenállásba ütköznek a Ringben
A The Ring e heti epizódjában Warborn (néppárti) és Mullooly (Renew Europe) európai parlamenti képviselők heves vitát folytatnak az EU-Mercosur megállapodásról, miután a Parlament úgy döntött, hogy az Európai Unió Bírósága elé utalja azt.
BŐVEBBEN : http://hu.euronews.com/2026/01/29/mercosur-india-es-az-eu-kereskedelmi-ambiciok-politikai-ellenallasba-utkoznek-a-ringben
Iratkozzon fel: Az Euronews elérhető 12 nyelven
A The Ring e heti epizódjában Warborn (néppárti) és Mullooly (Renew Europe) európai parlamenti képviselők heves vitát folytatnak az EU-Mercosur megállapodásról, miután a Parlament úgy döntött, hogy az Európai Unió Bírósága elé utalja azt.
BŐVEBBEN : http://hu.euronews.com/2026/01/29/mercosur-india-es-az-eu-kereskedelmi-ambiciok-politikai-ellenallasba-utkoznek-a-ringben
Iratkozzon fel: Az Euronews elérhető 12 nyelven
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00.
00:05.
00:09.
00:10.
00:15.
00:20.
00:21.
00:22.
00:23.
00:24.
00:25.
00:26.
00:28.
00:29.
00:30.
00:31.
00:32.
00:33.
00:34.
00:25This week, we zoom in on the hot-button issue of trade.
00:30From America to India, the EU has signed not one, but two massive trade.
00:35In 2026 alone, European business communities are euphoric.
00:40And farming communities are concerned.
00:41Luis Alberto has more.
00:45As global trade becomes increasingly entangled with geopolitics, the EU is
00:50being forced to rethink what its economic openness is for, growth or a situation.
00:55Strategic power.
00:56With the United States becoming a less reliable partner and China...
01:00...ever more dominant competitor, trade is no longer just about lowering tariffs...
01:05...and about securing supply chains, influence and autonomy.
01:09Negotiations...
01:10...with India, renewed momentum on a deal with Mercosur and outreach to Indo-Pacific...
01:15...partners reflect this shift.
01:17Supporters say these trade deals secure your...
01:20...of Europe's place in a fragmented global economy.
01:23Critics fear they hurt farmers.
01:25...weaken environmental standards and erode public trust.
01:30Can the EU use its standards as leverage rather than compromise them for access and influence?
01:35Or will internal divisions reduce it to a large market reacting to decisions...
01:40...made elsewhere?
01:41The questions we hope to pose to our contenders...
01:45...let's meet them.
01:46Kieran Malouli, an Irish MEP and...
01:50...a member of the Renew Europe Group.
01:52He is a Vice-Chair of the Special Committee on Housing...
01:55...and a member of the Committee on Regional Development.
01:58Before becoming an MEP, he worked...
02:00...as a journalist for over three decades.
02:02He has also been a consistent critic of the EU Mercosur...
02:05...trade agreement, arguing that in its current form...
02:08...it poses significant risks to...
02:10...European farmers, food standards and public health.
02:13The Mercosur trade deal...
02:15...will do nothing of substance for the non-agricultural sector in Europe, he said.
02:20Jürgen Warborn, a Swedish MEP and a...
02:25...member of the European People's Party Group.
02:27He serves on the Committee on International Trade...
02:30...where he has played a prominent role...
02:32...in shaping the European Parliament's trade policy agenda.
02:35His work focuses on strengthening the EU's competitiveness...
02:38...expanding international trade...
02:40...and supporting open markets.
02:42On the Mercosur deal, he said...
02:45...we owe citizens facts, not fear.
02:48The safeguards in this agreement are...
02:50...stronger than in any previous EU trade deal.
02:53Kieran Mululi and your...
02:55Jürgen Warborn, welcome to their ring.
02:58Yes.
02:59The idea here is to give...
03:00...our viewers a glimpse of what your debates are like...
03:02...inside the hemicycle, so I hope you feel right.
03:05...at home.
03:06Kieran Mululi, let's start with you.
03:07334 members of the European...
03:10Parliament voted in favour of referring the EU Mercosur deal...
03:13...to the European Court of...
03:15...justice.
03:16You were one of them.
03:17Why do you dislike this deal so much?
03:19Well, I suppose, firstly...
03:20...that issue on that vote last week...
03:21...wasn't entirely just on the Mercosur issue.
03:23It was on the issue of what were their...
03:25...wherefore, as a parliament, we're there, as you know...
03:27...to co-legislate and also to be the...
03:30...they'd be there to scrutinise trade deals as well.
03:32So, effectively, what we were asking for last week...
03:34...was one, just one...
03:35...is something at the moment, a legal referral.
03:37We want our top courts in Europe to look at the issues...
03:39...particularly look at that...
03:40...balancing mechanism.
03:41It's something new in terms of the parliament over the last 30 years.
03:45And as we know, the European Court of Justice moves very slowly...
03:48...so we could be looking at perhaps...
03:50...two more years before they finish their work.
03:53And 324...
03:55...members of the European Parliament disagreed with this...
03:57...and they voted against referring the deal to the...
04:00...the European Court of Justice.
04:01Tell you why you like the deal so much.
04:03I think the viewers saw...
04:05...that China is now pressing us on one part and the US...
04:10...on the other parts.
04:11From a geopolitical standpoint, this is a good deal.
04:14From an economic...
04:15...this is creating more jobs in Europe, so we need it.
04:20...as soon as possible.
04:21And you mentioned one of the issues...
04:25...that made you want to send it for a legal check.
04:28But that is not really true.
04:30That the rebalancing mechanism...
04:32...it's covered for within the agreement.
04:34There is...
04:35...no issue there.
04:36And there is a potentiality now...
04:37...that the deal could be provisionally...
04:40...implemented.
04:41...and that's what we need now because...
04:42How would you feel about that?
04:43If the Commission already...
04:45I have a major problem.
04:46I have a major problem.
04:47Just to stick with the vote this week...
04:50...that the majority of our MEPs...
04:52...in all around Europe...
04:53...have felt that this issue needs to be...
04:55...referred.
04:56It needs to be looked at in depth.
04:57Remember...
04:58...right across Europe...
04:59...technology is like a...
05:00...in France and Poland.
05:01127 MEPs in those areas voted yes...
05:04...for this...
05:05...decision.
05:06They represent the biggest industries...
05:07...in Europe.
05:08Germany, the biggest economy...
05:09...is in favour.
05:10But the French MEPs...
05:10...and the...
05:11...and the Polish...
05:12...to a person.
05:13Representing industries in Bordeaux...
05:14...and Paris...
05:15...and right across Warsaw...
05:17...and yet they said...
05:18...we need a legal referral.
05:19I trust that you...
05:20Jürgen, do you not trust their...
05:21...judgment that this needs to go back...
05:23...to terms of industry...
05:24...and their countries?
05:25No, it's the...
05:25...the other way around.
05:26I mean...
05:27...it's in...
05:28...for the rebalancing mechanism...
05:29...as you mentioned...
05:30...is one of the most important...
05:31...part from you...
05:32...it is actually in the agreement.
05:34So you might not...
05:35...but they wanted to be reviewed...
05:36...obviously...
05:37So why did you want to review it?
05:38Members of Parliament...
05:39...why did...
05:40...members of Parliament...
05:41...are asked to come forward...
05:42...and to represent...
05:43...their constituents?
05:44The...
05:45...industries in France...
05:46...and in Poland...
05:47...and in Ireland...
05:48...said...
05:49...we don't...
05:50...we want to see...
05:51...a proper legal review.
05:50If you read...
05:51...article 21 14 10 C...
05:53...you will see...
05:54...the rebalancing mechanism...
05:55...out there.
05:56Have you read that article?
05:57I guess you didn't...
05:58No, I haven't...
05:59...but I've looked at the...
06:00That's why...
06:01...that's why you voted...
06:02...the way you...
06:00...to the precedents...
06:01...that's sort of...
06:02...been suggested as precedents...
06:03...in the precedents cases...
06:04...there were previous...
06:05...trades...
06:05...やって agreements...
06:06...with the European Union.
06:07There's no previous...
06:08...trade agreement...
06:09...d acrylic stock countries...
06:10and in those circumstances...
06:10It's in order that we do this.
06:11We haven't used it before.
06:12I agree with that.
06:13But it's also within all the...
06:15W2 rules.
06:16And since it's in the agreement, which you obviously...
06:20I haven't read, you still voted to send it for legal checks.
06:23Because I represent my...
06:25The industry in my country, the same as the French, in Bordeaux, in Paris, in Warsaw, we...
06:30We want a legal review of this agreement.
06:32What are you afraid of, Jürgen?
06:33Are you afraid to come back?
06:34I'm afraid.
06:35That it will not come back at all?
06:36What are you afraid of?
06:38What are your fears?
06:38I'm afraid of losing.
06:40Economic development.
06:43I'm afraid of losing.
06:45I'm afraid of the jobs in Europe.
06:46I'm afraid of the small business owners.
06:49I'm afraid of all that...
06:50That growth that Europe needs in this moment.
06:52My issue, and one of the big issues I have with this deal is that...
06:55It's the scale of it.
06:56It's overrated.
06:57It's overstated.
06:58I'm pro-trade.
06:59I'm in...
07:00I'm in favour of the EU-India trade agreement.
07:01I was cheering yesterday morning.
07:03Why?
07:04Because of the scale.
07:05We're talking about a country with 1.5 billion people, as opposed to...
07:09So with 300...
07:10We're talking about a country with limited trade opportunities, as opposed to India, which...
07:15which has shown a willingness to trade.
07:16These are totally different situations.
07:18You're afraid they won't come back.
07:20The scale is not there, Jürgen.
07:21I'm not really worried.
07:23Oh, the scale is definitely there.
07:25It's 270 million consumers in the Mercosur countries.
07:29A million and a half?
07:30No, but I'd like to have both.
07:31I'd like to have both.
07:33We have US pressing us with...
07:35We have China pressing us with subsidies, and you are choosing one agreement.
07:40I'm choosing two.
07:41And you say, well, it's not enough growth, but it's still growth.
07:44And Kieran, are you...
07:45Are you not worried about the EU's relevance on the global stage?
07:49EU has to be...
07:50We have to do trade deals.
07:51But by delaying the deal, we're laughing so.
07:54I want to trade with countries...
07:55I want to trade with countries that are not cutting down the rainforest.
07:58I want to trade with countries that do not...
08:00We do not have a major issue with regard to food quality and food safety.
08:03But did you not read the fine print of the...
08:05Don't talk to me about safeguards.
08:07We really discussed safeguards with regard to the...
08:09Let's talk about the...
08:10In a European context, let's look at the safeguards.
08:13We've had tremendous agreements in this...
08:15House going over the last number of years.
08:16Do you remember the EU-Israel trade agreement?
08:18We had a marvellous safeguard...
08:20Article 2, which said if any of the parties were particularly guilty in terms of breach of...
08:25of human rights, there was going to be a problem.
08:27I wonder if Israel actually breached article.
08:28Do most people in the UN...
08:30think they have...
08:30Have you seen the safeguard cut in?
08:32Have we suspended the agreement, Jürgen?
08:33Why haven't we suspended...
08:35That was a safeguard, it was never implemented.
08:37What happened to that safeguard?
08:37Are you mindful of these concerns?
08:40That's the strongest safeguards in any trade agreements.
08:44Okay?
08:45It's not been stronger for any.
08:47It doesn't work.
08:47Okay?
08:48So...
08:50There is a 5% if the price increases...
08:55by more than 5% and the volume increases by more than 5%.
09:00Farmers are protected.
09:01And that's not only the protection for farmers, it's all...
09:05So the tariff rate quotas...
09:06Can we ring the bell?
09:06When will we be protected next year, this year, following year?
09:10You have three...
09:10Well, that's also the thing.
09:12This is unprecedented.
09:14Absolutely.
09:15When it comes to the safeguards, how fast they will kick in.
09:18So nobody knows, is the answer.
09:2025, 21 days?
09:22Yeah.
09:22Well, nobody knows.
09:22It's also in the...
09:23It's unprecedented.
09:23It's 21 days before.
09:24Unlimited...
09:25...import quotas on sensitive products.
09:26It's 21 days.
09:26Does that not satisfy you?
09:27We know.
09:28And Ursula von der Leyen, she sat down...
09:30She met with the farmers on the sidelines of that EU summit that took place before Christmas.
09:35But not enough.
09:35Maeve, when I came to this parliament on the very first week, I met Ursula von der Leyen and I raised this issue on day...
09:40And in that meeting in Parliament in Strasbourg, she said to me, but Ciarán, we are working...
09:45...with the farmers in Brazil, things are going to be different.
09:48They are already improving the situation.
09:50And yet, in my country, member state, in the last six months, we've seen Brazilian meat...
09:55...come in with legal growth promoters, with carcinogenic products.
10:00And not just come in, but go straight into the food chain and be consumed.
10:04She told me...
10:05This was not going to happen again.
10:06It did happen.
10:06How can we trust...
10:07And this, of course, has been a massive scandal and...
10:10We've covered a lot in the last couple of weeks in Ireland.
10:11These are the genuine concerns that communities in Ireland and France...
10:15...and Greece, in fact, there's been farmers out protesting.
10:17So how do you direct those concerns and viewers here today who are...
10:20You know, I think that is a valid argument, actually.
10:24One of your first...
10:25...which is also why the Commission has acted on...
10:30And the standards, they are there, no matter the Mercosur trade agreement...
10:35...or not.
10:36They will be there.
10:37It will not change with the agreement.
10:39We will still have...
10:40...of our standards.
10:41There will still be imports of products from the Mercosur countries.
10:45But we will lose out on the opportunities.
10:47How do we then make sure that...
10:50...consumers, animal welfare and plant protection is there?
10:55We do checks.
10:56More checks.
10:57And, of course, these...
10:58And money.
10:59I know there's six points...
11:00Hang on.
11:00...they're not working.
11:01Hang on.
11:02Unfortunately, they're not working.
11:03And there's 6.3 billion euros earmarked as well for farmers...
11:05...in the next budget.
11:06And climate control and all sorts of other issues...
11:08The thing is, what you will have with it...
11:10...of course.
11:11Could I just say...
11:12No, let me stop you there.
11:13Because, actually, we're just getting warmed up here...
11:14...and it's time to take...
11:15...the gloves off.
11:19So, now...
11:20You both have the opportunity to kick off with your own questions.
11:23So, I will stay quiet for a minute.
11:25Sean, you go ahead, please, with your first question.
11:27Yeah, I mean, I want to ask Jurgen up straight if he knows what...
11:30...antimicrobial resistance is in terms of medical situation.
11:33It's basically...
11:35...a medical condition which occurs after the overuse of antibiotics.
11:39It's something that affects you...
11:40...and me.
11:41Forget about the animals for the moment.
11:42It's you and me.
11:43Your kids.
11:44Your family.
11:45And if...
11:45In an emergency situation, you go into hospital, you require antibiotics.
11:48If you've been exposed to...
11:50...more antibiotics than you knew in the course of your life, you're in big trouble.
11:53Brazilian Media is coming in.
11:54The end...
11:55...at the end of the day, we know antibiotics are in it.
11:57We've seen it.
11:58In my country, we've had an expose with regard to...
12:00...right across Brazil.
12:01It's still going on.
12:02From your source?
12:03So the question is very straightforward.
12:04The question is very straightforward.
12:05At the end of the day, what price do you put on the safety of your family?
12:09So the...
12:10The meat is coming in.
12:11No matter with the Mercosur agreement or not.
12:14And what happens...
12:15If we have the Mercosur agreement, it's that we increase the checks.
12:19In fact...
12:20We will do 50% more checks in the Mercosur countries.
12:25We will do 33% more checks at the border...
12:30...of the European borders.
12:31And there will be a task force to improve the border.
12:35...efficiency.
12:36So actually...
12:37...for health...
12:38...for people...
12:40...and for animals...
12:41...and for the plants.
12:42There will be more checks with the Mercosur agreement.
12:45You can guarantee this?
12:46...than without the argument.
12:47You can guarantee this?
12:48Because on the 25th of September...
12:49Yes.
12:50...we can guarantee this?
12:51Because on the 25th of September...
12:50...last year, they came into Ireland.
12:52I've asked the Commission since that...
12:54...about the checks.
12:55Where the meat came from...
12:56...where it went to...
12:57...the Commission doesn't know.
12:58They still don't know.
12:59F*****
13:00Five months later.
13:01So you're not reassured by what you're saying?
13:02Five months later.
13:03That's a fact.
13:04We can ask.
13:05You can ask anybody in the Parliament next...
13:05...this week.
13:06When we asked the Commissioner...
13:07...where did it come from?
13:08Where did it go?
13:09The checks.
13:10But are your voters not excited?
13:10What about cheaper stakes?
13:11Fortunately, the EU...
13:12...one of the fantastic things about the EU...
13:13...is the reference...
13:14...the focus on...
13:15...and quality...
13:16...and health over the years.
13:17Our Irish consumer largely...
13:19Our Irish consumer...
13:20...wants to see the continuation...
13:21...of proper quality...
13:22...and safe food.
13:23That's the big issue for me.
13:24Safe food...
13:25Okay.
13:25Your family and my family...
13:26...we can be sure of that reason.
13:27Your opportunity now...
13:28...to pose your first question please...
13:29...to Ciarán Mullooly.
13:30We have US and China pressing us...
13:32...from two parts.
13:33It's been very...
13:34...very hard.
13:35...with US lately...
13:36...and we need more...
13:37...trade agreements...
13:38...um...
13:39...in...
13:40...
13:40...in India.
13:41It's very good that...
13:42...you are pro the Indian one...
13:43...and we have several others.
13:44The Chile one...
13:45...I guess you voted for...
13:46...as well.
13:47Why...
13:48...do you choose...
13:49...not to...
13:50...to have the growth...
13:51...that comes...
13:52...with a Mercosur agreement?
13:53You say it's too small?
13:55But it's still growth.
13:56It's still more jobs...
13:57...uh...
13:58...for...
13:59...for European...
14:00...the business...
14:01...it supports small...
14:02...and medium-sized businesses.
14:03We need growth in Europe.
14:05So...
14:06...why can you not help...
14:07...with...
14:08...with providing that growth?
14:09It's a fair...
14:10...the geopolitical situation...
14:11...has been one of the...
14:12...the big unsettling issues...
14:14...as I joined the parliament.
14:15...every week...
14:16...there's a different agenda...
14:17...and usually driven by...
14:18...the United States or otherwise...
14:19...but the point is...
14:20...you're...
14:20...you're right...
14:21...we need to do more trade...
14:22...but for me as an MAP...
14:23...I have to balance...
14:24...on one side...
14:25...the better...
14:25...the better good of the EU...
14:26...and on the other side...
14:27...the better good of the economy...
14:28...of the EU...
14:29...and when the people...
14:30...of France...
14:31...and the people of Poland...
14:32...the people of Austria...
14:33...Ireland...
14:34...and even Belgium...
14:35...are on this...
14:36...have come in and said...
14:35...at the end of the day...
14:36...we have more to lose...
14:37...in a deal...
14:38...of this size...
14:39...because it's so small...
14:40...that's what they're saying...
14:41...to me...
14:42...even though I don't know...
14:43...if the French economy...
14:44...should be a good example...
14:45...well...
14:45...the French are united on this...
14:46...we've seen it in the Parliament...
14:47...I mean...
14:48...127 MAPs can be wrong...
14:49...can they all be wrong...
14:50...are they all be wrong...
14:51...they can all be wrong...
14:52...but I'm afraid that's a bit...
14:53...of a statement about you...
14:54...and democracy...
14:55...because at the end of the day...
14:56...they represent left...
14:57...right and middle...
14:58Ciarán Mullooly...
14:59...you've transferred...
15:00...another question there...
15:00...are you in favour...
15:01...of a deal...
15:02...which at the end of the day...
15:03...continues to leave workers in Brazil...
15:05...on an average monthly salary...
15:07...of just €1,000...
15:08...it's doing nothing for trade...
15:10...how could you support that...
15:11...nothing for employees...
15:12...and workers in Brazil...
15:13Now...
15:14...you're right on sir...
15:15So...
15:15...if we vote down the Mercosur trade...
15:18...agreement...
15:19...how will it happen...
15:20...help the workers...
15:21...in Brazil...
15:22...how will it help...
15:23...the workers...
15:24...how will it help...
15:25...the workers...
15:25...in Europe...
15:26...in Ireland...
15:27...it will be the opposite...
15:28...and we spoke about it...
15:30...it's about growth...
15:31...Europe is facing...
15:33...a huge growth problem...
15:34...and...
15:35...and it's good...
15:36...that the Commission...
15:37...is now...
15:38...pushing...
15:39...to change this position...
15:40...we have the Draga report...
15:41...we need to do a lot...
15:42...of things...
15:43...the rest of the world...
15:44...is growing faster...
15:45...than Europe...
15:46...and that's why...
15:47...we need to tap into...
15:48...that growth...
15:49...and we do...
15:50...with the trade agreements...
15:52...but you decide...
15:53...that you do not want...
15:54...to tap into that...
15:55...to...
15:56...to...
15:57...270...
15:58...millions...
15:59...consumers...
16:00...that can sell...
16:00...the cars...
16:01...the pharmaceuticals...
16:02...I also look at the facts...
16:03...but the trade unions...
16:04...tell us that...
16:05...and actually...
16:06...I misquoted...
16:07...500 euros per month...
16:08...is the average one...
16:09...at the top 10%...
16:10...are on...
16:10...1,200 euros per month...
16:11...that's today...
16:12...that's today...
16:13...that has been the way...
16:14...for some time...
16:15...and you know that...
16:15...with an agreement...
16:16...and another point...
16:17...that complicates this matter as well...
16:18...just to complicate it...
16:19...even further for you...
16:20...you want to sell...
16:21...people want to sell...
16:22...cars into this...
16:23...this community...
16:24...how many of these workers...
16:25...are going to be able to...
16:25...for the Volvo car...
16:26...at that...
16:27...at that wage...
16:28...at that salary...
16:29...much...
16:30...much more...
16:32...of the workers...
16:33...will afford it...
16:34...if...
16:35...we have the Mercosur agreement...
16:36...not a chance...
16:37...because economic development...
16:38...will increase...
16:40...with the agreement...
16:41...that's what trade does...
16:42...actually the European export...
16:44...will grow by 30%...
16:45...that's a huge...
16:47...possibility...
16:48...for...
16:49...co...
16:50...for cars...
16:51...for car parts...
16:52...for machinery...
16:53...for pharmaceutical products...
16:55...and for farmers...
16:56...and for farmers...
16:57...and for farmers...
16:58...and that's why the industry...
16:59...have called it the big trophy...
17:00...that they took home from Paraguay...
17:00...and you mentioned...
17:01...Mario Draghi...
17:02...he has been invited...
17:03...to the EU leaders retreat...
17:04...in February...
17:05...and that just describes...
17:06...how bad really our economy is...
17:07...right now...
17:08...what Kieran is doing...
17:09...is saying...
17:10...saying...
17:10...no to growth...
17:11...and I'm saying...
17:12...yes to growth...
17:13...I'm saying balance...
17:14...I'm saying balance it out...
17:15...well I'm curious...
17:15...to hear what our viewers think...
17:16...do write to us...
17:17...at the ring...
17:18...to tell us our view...
17:19...but now I would like to bring...
17:20...another voice...
17:21...because regulars here...
17:22...on Euronews...
17:23...will have noticed...
17:24...that Ursula von der...
17:25...was in New Delhi...
17:26...earlier this week...
17:27...and the red carpet...
17:28...was rolled out for her...
17:30...we can take a listen...
17:31...to what you had to say...
17:32...during the EU-India Historic Summit.
17:35...we did it...
17:38...we delivered...
17:39...we delivered...
17:40...the mother of all deals...
17:42...and this is the tale...
17:43...of two giants...
17:45...the world's...
17:46...second...
17:47...and fourth...
17:48...largest economies...
17:49...two...
17:50...who choose...
17:51...partnership...
17:52...in a true...
17:53...win-win fashion.
17:55...a strong message...
17:56...that cooperation...
17:57...is the best answer...
17:58...to global challenge...
18:00...Ursula von der Leyen...
18:01...there...
18:02...also charming...
18:03...the Indian communities...
18:04...there with her...
18:05...traditional dress...
18:06...this is not so controversial...
18:08...as the Mercosur.
18:09Why do you...
18:10...really like...
18:11...the EU-India deal?
18:12It's a...
18:13...it's a huge deal...
18:14...uh...
18:15...it's a...
18:16...it's a...
18:17...fantastic market...
18:18...for European...
18:19...products...
18:20...it's 1.4 billion...
18:21...consumers there...
18:22...and...
18:23...in a time...
18:24...where...
18:25...once again...
18:26...when we are pressed...
18:27...by US and China...
18:28...we need...
18:29...more partners.
18:30...and that's why...
18:31...this agreement is so good.
18:32We've seen...
18:33...chicken, beef, sugar...
18:34...are protected here...
18:35...so nobody wants...
18:35...which is why it's a good deal...
18:36...which is why it's a good deal...
18:37...which is why...
18:38...which is why it's a good deal.
18:39You know what?
18:40I think the EU negotiators...
18:40...have learned...
18:41...from Mercosur...
18:42...have waited for 20 years...
18:43...and we've...
18:44...we've seen it...
18:45...little or no...
18:45...beef involved...
18:46...in this deal at all.
18:47So that's why...
18:48...your voters will love it...
18:49...because there's no beef here.
18:50...it's a key...
18:50...indigenous industry...
18:51...right across Europe.
18:52So at the end of the day...
18:53...Europe must protect...
18:54...its markets as well.
18:55So the balance was needed...
18:56...and she's found the balance.
18:57We're quite happy with this...
18:58...but Irish whisky will sell into India...
19:00...with better volumes...
19:01...than ever before.
19:02We're really pleased about it.
19:03But we're also glad to see...
19:04...it going the other way.
19:05We think...
19:05...it's good for Europe...
19:06...because of the scale.
19:07That's the key issue here.
19:08Balance what Europe has...
19:09...and the scale of what...
19:10...it's possible.
19:11Okay.
19:12And so now the workforce...
19:13...is...
19:14...they can afford to buy...
19:15...a builder...
19:16...in India.
19:17...and the Irish can afford...
19:18...to...
19:19...buy another car...
19:20In Ireland, the whiskey sales increase.
19:21It's a win-win.
19:22It's a win-win.
19:23Which will happen in Mercosur as well.
19:25Not because of the scale, I'm quite genuine about that.
19:27It doesn't have the scale.
19:28If you look, say, in Ireland.
19:30At the moment, we've got half a billion sales already into India in terms of whiskey.
19:34Already.
19:35Before we start, whereas the Mercosur exports are tiny from an Irish perspective.
19:39270.
19:40I think the viewers can assess that.
19:431.5, 1.4 billion.
19:45We will continue discussing it in one minute, but we must take a short break here on The
19:49Ring.
19:50Stay with us because we'll be back very soon with some more political punch from the Parliament.
20:00Welcome back to The Ring.
20:05Eury News' weekly debating show here, broadcasting from the Parliament in Brussels.
20:10Joined by MEPs Ciarán Malouly and Jürgen Warburne.
20:13And the idea here is to bring the Parliament...
20:15Debates to your sofa.
20:16So, what about you?
20:18Well, according to a recent...
20:20Eurobarometer, what do Europeans think of the EU trade policy?
20:23Well, 77%...
20:25...support the EU's common trade policy.
20:2883% say that...
20:30the EU should strengthen its economic independence and diversify its trade relations.
20:35But, at least 75% of citizens agree that agriculture...
20:40...cultural imports should only ever enter the European Union if they comply.
20:45With the EU's environmental, animal welfare and labour standards.
20:49Are you surprised?
20:50No, not a bit.
20:51Not a bit.
20:52Not a bit.
20:53I'm pro-trade.
20:54And I'm the person who says we've got to make these deals...
20:55...and make sure they're the right deals.
20:56But the key one is the last stats, the 75%.
20:58Yeah.
20:59At the end of the day, people...
21:00...want to have safe food.
21:01And if the safeguards are to mean anything, then they've got to come back in front of...
21:05...the parliament.
21:06We start looking at them again.
21:07We've got to find out...
21:08...where did the meat come from last September in Ireland?
21:10No...
21:10Nobody knows.
21:11It's still a mystery.
21:12We cannot go forward until we have clear safeguards on these issues.
21:15Jürgen, your reaction there to that data?
21:17I'm not surprised at all.
21:19Well, if I am surprised...
21:20It's rather that the last number isn't higher because of course...
21:25...we're all concerned with food safety and my point is that with...
21:30...the Mercosur agreement, food safety will actually increase.
21:33We will have more checks...
21:35...50% more checks in the Mercosur countries, 33% more checks at our border...
21:40...the task force of increasing efficiently, efficiently.
21:43So, I guess that...
21:45...that means that we will find the meat or other products that are...
21:50...that are not good for us.
21:51That's the purpose of the checks.
21:52So why is the EU Mercosur deal so toxic then?
21:54Is there a communication...
21:55...issue here?
21:56Have you been miscommunicating this deal and the benefits perhaps?
21:58I think so.
22:00You know, I also admit that there are sensitive products...
22:03...for the agriculture sector...
22:05...as a whole, it's huge potential for dairy, for wine...
22:10...for a lot of different products but for some products...
22:13...they are sensitive.
22:14It's beef.
22:15It's poultry.
22:16It's sugar.
22:17It's a few others.
22:18But here the Commission has really been clever...
22:20...negotiating it.
22:21It's tariff rate quotas, meaning the volumes are small.
22:25Relatively small.
22:261.5% maximum in consumption of the European...
22:30...for beef.
22:31One steak per year.
22:32One steak per year.
22:33One steak per year.
22:34One steak per year.
22:35And then it goes, and then it grows, and then it grows.
22:36That's the way you...
22:37No, it doesn't.
22:38It's in the agreement.
22:39So it's one steak per year.
22:40Over a period of...
22:40Decades.
22:41And then, with the quotas, then you have the safeguards, meaning that...
22:45...the prices cannot decrease too much, then tariffs kick in.
22:48And there is also an...
22:50...insurance policy in terms of money.
22:52I think the good news on the vote last week is that...
22:54...Europe is changing its...
22:55...I don't mind about the entire America's ordeal now.
22:57We've seen...
22:58Who is?
22:59I was told...
23:00Who in Europe?
23:00I think, Commission President, change your mind.
23:01I think social...
23:02To be very clear about it...
23:03These statistics says something else.
23:04To be very clear about it...
23:05When we voted on...
23:06But just who has changed their mind?
23:07I'm really curious.
23:08Can I answer the question?
23:09Last year when we had a vote...
23:10We had 10, 11 Social Democrats who abstained.
23:14This week they voted in...
23:15...of the legal agreement.
23:16I believe they'll vote in...
23:17...to knock down Mercosur.
23:18That's who's changed their mind.
23:20That's why we won this week, by the way.
23:22It wasn't...
23:23So the left put the motion for it.
23:24The right were involved.
23:25But at the end of the day...
23:25It was Social Democrats from Romania and Hungary...
23:28...that changed their mind in this situation.
23:30And that's happening right across the border with regard to Mercosur.
23:32But it's very political.
23:33Because of the safety issues.
23:34It's very political too.
23:35At the end of the day...
23:35It's about food quality.
23:36It's about politics too.
23:37You asked the question, what did the commission do wrong?
23:39The commission...
23:40It's very political to recognise the cultural problem in Brazil.
23:42This is an examination that went over...
23:453,000 kilometres...
23:46Over 14...
23:47You disagree, sir.
23:48It's right across...
23:49Mr. Warren...
23:50You can't change...
23:50You can't change that overnight.
23:51You can't.
23:52Okay, let's just hear it from you.
23:53Tyrion is putting forward great arguments for...
23:55...additional application actually.
23:57Meaning that the Mercosur agreement should now start...
24:00...to be in force as soon as possible.
24:03Because the...
24:04Because the...
24:05The vote last week...
24:06You didn't...
24:07You didn't read the agreement...
24:09But you...
24:10You still voted to send it for legal checks...
24:13Meaning that...
24:14What you are really...
24:15Against...
24:16It's the Mercosur agreement...
24:17And that's why...
24:18It was a...
24:19Delaying...
24:20Pro...
24:20Process from you...
24:21And some colleagues...
24:22But we cannot afford to delay the process.
24:24We...
24:25We have been negotiating this for 25 years.
24:2725 years.
24:28Indeed.
24:29And now we need to put it into force.
24:30And I think...
24:31Forget about 250.
24:32Not happening.
24:33No, no, no.
24:34We do more checks.
24:35So when we put...
24:35It into...
24:36Into action...
24:37Then...
24:38Export will grow.
24:39Jobs will grow.
24:40And that will be very good for you.
24:41You're good.
24:42Can I tell you one thing that won't grow?
24:43That's the trees in the Amazon.
24:44You seem to have forgotten that issue.
24:45And I'm sure your Swedish viewers are interested in that as well.
24:47We heard it at Christmas.
24:48They are.
24:49We heard it at Christmas.
24:50That's why we have...
24:50Soil producers in Brazil are going back into the rainforest.
24:53And on that point...
24:54And on that point, Kieran...
24:55That's what you're voting for.
24:56That's what you're voting for.
24:57That's what you're voting for.
24:58That's a fact.
24:59No, no, no.
25:00Hang on.
25:00Once again...
25:01We have breached an agreement and we're going back into the rainforest.
25:03We are going to see more trees cut than ever before.
25:05And you're saying that's fine.
25:06We're going to go ahead on a provisional...
25:07I want to continue quizzing you.
25:08We're going to go ahead on a provisional...
25:09I want to continue quizzing you.
25:10So haven't we...
25:11Haven't we the EU deforestation?
25:13So that's the view from...
25:14You didn't read the agreement.
25:15So that's the view from...
25:15That is the view from Kieran Mullooly and Jorgen Varburn.
25:18Now it is time, though, to move on to our...
25:20fifth and final round.
25:22Are you ready?
25:26So I'm going to ask our MEPs a set of questions.
25:29And you...
25:30Only can answer with a yes or no.
25:32Is that doable?
25:33Debatable.
25:34Debatable.
25:35Not easy at all.
25:36Is Ursula von der Leyen a good leader, Kieran?
25:38Yes or no?
25:39No.
25:40Yes.
25:41Do you like that Brussels trades on behalf of the 27, Kieran?
25:44Yes and Kieran.
25:45Yes.
25:46Is globalisation a good thing, Jorgen?
25:50Yes.
25:51Yes, in controlled and regulated.
25:53Kieran, is the EU...
25:55relevant on the world stage now in 2026?
25:57Yes is the answer.
25:58And I'm a big believer in that.
25:59But we have to be even more...
26:00relevant and not reacting to the US and other parties or the world powers.
26:03Yes.
26:04And with the Mercosur agreement...
26:05relevant even more so.
26:06Was it a mistake to sign the EU-US trade deal back?
26:10In Scotland back in July?
26:12No.
26:13Yes, because we were bullied.
26:15On that Sunday in July, we were...
26:17our president of the commission was bullied into submission.
26:20Not the circumstances.
26:21Could I maybe comment?
26:22Should that deal be ratified?
26:23Yes or no?
26:24I think it should stay suspended.
26:25Until we clarify exactly what's going on in the United States.
26:28We need that deal.
26:29We need it concrete and...
26:30we thought we had it.
26:31Struggling there with the yes or no, Mr. Mululi.
26:33We need more predictability.
26:34I say more.
26:35We can...
26:35we cannot create a lot of...
26:36we cannot create absolutely stable situation for businesses.
26:40So should the deal be ratified?
26:41It should because it creates more predictability than today.
26:44Final question.
26:45Mr. Mululi, did you agree with anything that Jorgen Varbon said today?
26:48Oh, I certainly did.
26:49I mean, we...
26:50the overall trade deal...
26:51Jorgen is right.
26:52We need to do the big deals.
26:53That's why I'm happy with India.
26:55But it all comes down at the end of the day, for me, to a personal choice.
26:58Jorgen, would you be happy with your family?
27:00Each...
27:0018 Brazilian meat tomorrow?
27:01And what about you?
27:02Yes.
27:03Yes, absolutely.
27:04I do eat...
27:05Brazilian meat.
27:06And Irish meat.
27:07And Swedish meat.
27:08Even though you have no idea where it came from?
27:09I have no problems with that.
27:10And just a final point with you...
27:10Do you agree with anything Kieran Mululi said here today?
27:12Yes, I think it is very good that Kieran is supportive.
27:15Of the Indian...
27:16New India.
27:17The agreement with India.
27:19We need that.
27:20We need more trade agreements in general.
27:22Okay, okay.
27:23What a lively debate.
27:24I think we've given our viewers a real glimpse...
27:25of what it's like inside the heated hemicycle.
27:28Thank you so much, Jorgen Warburne and Kieran Mululi.
27:30For being our guest.
27:31It was great to hear your views.
27:32And we'd also like to hear yours.
27:34So please do read...
27:35TheRing at Euronews.com.
27:37That is our email address.
27:38Get in touch.
27:39We love hearing you.
27:40But stay with us here on Euronews.
27:45For more information.
27:46Former Licän Circle.
27:47Claro.
27:48Yeah.
27:50You
Comments