EU’s Trade Deals Can Put an End to Deforestation

The author argues for a strong and balanced approach by the European Union (EU) in trade agreements to curb deforestation and prevent pandemics. It highlights the inadequacy of simply boycotting deforestation-related products and suggests the need for legally binding environmental standards. It proposes a "carrot and stick" approach to trade agreements, where countries that meet standards agree to free trade, excluding those that do not. The example of sustainable palm oil certification in Malaysia is highlighted as a successful model.