Macron to visit Brazil as Mercosur trade talks stall

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Brazil from March 26-28, his office said on Tuesday.

The visit comes as the European Union struggles to get a trade deal with the South American bloc of Mercosur countries to the finishing line. France is the EU country most strongly opposed to the accord, making significant progress on Macron's trip unlikely — although he is expected to take along a big business delegation.

Macron accepted an invitation from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva last October, after a testy spell in relations that saw Lula take exception to his tough line on trade — and even complain about the food he was served at a banquet in Paris hosted by the French president.

As farmer protests sweep Europe, Macron has sought to block negotiations on the trade deal with Mercosur — which groups Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay — to the point of intervening directly with European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in January to demand that she freeze talks.

French and European farmers strongly oppose the trade agreement, which they fear would flood the continent with cheaper food products, especially beef.

Last week, Lula said he would be ready to sign the deal but pointed out that France was the main obstacle.

Before going to Brazil, Macron will also visit French Guiana, the French overseas territory that serves as the launchpad for European Space Agency's rocket launches.