France is delaying the EU-New Trade agreement with Chile until the elections are over

France has persuaded the EU to delay the signing of two new trade agreements until its presidential election is held in April, provoking other countries calling for an end to the agreement.

The EU hopes to conclude trade agreements with Chile and New Zealand this year but Paris has confirmed to the European Commission – which negotiates the treaty on behalf of the 27-nation bloc – to delay the agreement.

The EU ambassador said Emmanuel Macron, President of France, feared that the rise of Chilean chickens and lambs from New Zealand, which critics could use to encourage farmers and groups against international co-operation in the run-up to the elections.

French officials confirmed that Paris was not ready to accept the two agreements, as exports from the farms and environmental issues had to be finalized.

“We need to focus on issues of sustainable development and the challenges of agriculture,” said Franck Riester, French business minister.

France’s opposition has raised concerns among other EU member states, which will force the union to convene a summit of trade ministers in Brussels on Thursday.

“We have had some good Chilean debts for the past few weeks and suddenly there is none. We expect the council to change everything,” said one EU ambassador.

Member countries give negotiations to negotiators to end trade agreements, which are approved by state legislators. Several member states believe the commission would reject France’s request, the ambassador said.

The alliance with Chile will change the looser alliance agreement, and give the EU easy access to lithium weapons to boost its electric motor business and reduce reliance on China.

An EU official said there was a “small window of opportunity” for cooperation with Chile, and negotiations began in 2017. “It’s a very good practice,” he said. “But the French are against it on the chicken.”

The EU is the exporter of poultry. It cost 11.6m tons in 2020, and 650,000 tons were exported. Chile, already a fourth-largest exporter, imports 18,000 tons of poultry duty.

Brussels began trade negotiations with New Zealand in 2018 and still faces major challenges including data sharing and the protection of cheese in Europe. The EU wants New Zealand farmers to stop calling cheese like feta, Gruyère and other popular brands.

Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, has suspended her trip to Brussels this month for lack of progress.

His spokesman criticized “several reasons, including a good time for discussion”.

The UK signed an agreement with New Zealand last month.

“We have not commented on trade talks with third parties until they are over. We will not comment on any comments or speculation,” he said.