Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is taking part in the informal meeting of trade ministers in Brussels today ahead of the Foreign affairs Council (Trade) due to take place on November 21.

During this meeting, the ministers will discuss trade tensions between the EU and the United States, including the dispute between Airbus and Boeing. The minister of state will reaffirm that France supports negotiated and balanced solutions that will safeguard the EU's rights under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The ministers will also discuss the modernization of the WTO. The minister of state will call for accelerated efforts to reform the organization in a context in which the Appellate Body may no longer be able to function in a few weeks.

The ministers will review the Commission's third report on the implementation of Free Trade Agreements. The minister of state will express France's support for this annual exercise which allows greater transparency with respect to trade agreements that have been concluded and the rules we negotiate.

Lastly, the ministers will discuss the agreement between the EU and Mercosur. The minister of state will reaffirm that France will pay particular attention to ensuring respect for the conditions set out by President Macron, notably including respect for the Paris agreement and effectively combating deforestation. France's position will also be based on the independent evaluation currently underway at the national level. The minister of state will call on the Commission to carry out such an evaluation.