Amazon Fires and Deforestation Raise Doubts Over Mercosur Trade Deal
What happened
As of August 24, 2019, fires in the Amazon biome topped 41,858. Preliminary data shows rising deforestation, with the rate in July 2019 soaring 278 percent compared to July 2018. This rise is linked to illegal land clearing and the dismantling of IBAMA, Brazil’s environmental enforcement agency, under policies in Pará state. The G7 nations also promised $20 million in aid to help Amazon countries fight wildfires.
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Why it matters
The environmental crisis and lax enforcement policies under Jair Bolsonaro are casting doubt on the Mercosur trade deal. This situation raises international concern regarding the viability of the trade agreement and increases regulatory focus on environmental crimes.
From mongabay.com
Who's involved
- Jair BolsonaroPresident of Brazil during the period Mercosur faced trade deal crises
- MercosurSouth American economic agreement facing trade deal crises
- ParáState in Brazil where fires and deforestation are occurring
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- MercosurSpeculative
Mercosur might face pressure from Europe regarding the viability and ratification of the trade deal.
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The entities involved
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Jair Bolsonaro
38th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil (2019–2023)
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Mercosur
South American economic agreement
Nothing else this week.
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Emmanuel Macron
president of France and Co-Prince of Andorra since 2017