Paris cautiously embraces EU-Mercosur deal.

French Trade Minister Olivier Becht said that France is ready to back the EU-Mercosur deal if its demands are met, noting that French companies and farmers have much to gain from the trade agreement. However, Paris has repeatedly said that France could only change its mind if the Mercosur bloc commits to stop illegal deforestation in the Amazon, to comply with the Paris climate agreement, and to apply the same environmental and sanitary standards as EU farmers. The EU-Mercosur trade deal is set to be a priority for the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU, which begins on July 1.