EU reverses stance on trade deals to counter far-right influence
A shift in trade policy is underway as the EU pushes forward with new agreements at speed. Lawmakers who once opposed deals like Mercosur have now changed their position, citing geopolitical concerns. The move comes amid growing criticism of how global trade has widened inequality and worsened the climate crisis.
The EU Commission is accelerating negotiations while trade unions, Green politicians, and progressive NGOs now back deals they previously rejected. Their support follows warnings about the far-right’s rising influence and the need to counter it through economic ties. For decades, neoliberal globalisation has reshaped economies, benefiting the richest 1% while weakening job security. Low-skilled work has moved to countries with lower wages and poor labour protections, leaving workers in the Global North without fair compensation. At the same time, trade-related activities now contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, worsening climate instability.
The rules of the World Trade Organization and existing agreements block policies that could favour European firms. This legal barrier has made it impossible to enforce certain demands, even as calls grow for trade to reduce dependencies and strengthen supply chains. Yet despite these challenges, the EU is fast-tracking new deals, arguing that economic cooperation can counter far-right movements.
Recent votes show this change in stance. EU lawmakers from the Greens and Social Democrats, who previously opposed the Mercosur agreement, now reject a legal review of its terms. Their reversal reflects broader concerns about political instability, though critics argue the deals will deepen existing problems rather than solve them. The push for new trade agreements continues, despite evidence that past policies have harmed workers and the environment. Supporters now frame these deals as a necessary response to geopolitical threats, while opponents warn they will further erode democratic control and climate stability. The outcome will depend on whether the EU can balance economic ties with stronger protections for labour and the planet.
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