Romanian president and agriculture minister butt heads on EU-Mercosur agreement

Romanian agriculture minister Florin Barbu argued that the EU-Mercosur deal “is nothing more than an economic and interest-based agreement,” conceived “for certain companies that want to import and flood the markets of the European Union with low-quality products.” On the same day, Romanian president Nicusor Dan said the deal is “extremely beneficial” to Romania, especially to its critical automotive industry.

The statements, given in an interview broadcast on Saturday, January 24, by Prima TV, come after Romania endorsed the free trade deal through its president and foreign minister. However, the agreement received criticism from the Social Democratic Party (or PSD), part of the government coalition, and the far-right opposition Alliance for the Union of Romanians Party (or AUR).