After 25 years of intense negotiations, the Mercosur and European Union (EU) have officially concluded and announced a historic free trade agreement. The decision was made during the Mercosur Summit, held in Montevideo, Uruguay, and marks a milestone in strengthening the trade relations between the two economic blocs.
The announcement indicates that the negotiations have been successfully concluded. The next step is the legal review of the texts and their translation into the official languages of the involved parties before ratification by the Parliaments of each country.
CNA Assesses the Agreement and Its Impact on Global Trade
For the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA), the agreement is regarded as positive and brings great prospects for the Brazilian agricultural sector. The organization, which has closely followed the entire process, highlighted the importance of balance in the negotiations and the aim to achieve tangible benefits for Brazil.
CNA’s International Relations Director, Sueme Mori, emphasized the agreement’s significance: “After 25 years, Mercosur and the EU announced today the conclusion of negotiations for the free trade agreement between the blocs. This is great news for Brazil and for the Brazilian agricultural sector. CNA has been following this process from the beginning, always striving for a balanced negotiation and ensuring that the process’ outcomes yield real advantages for Brazil.”
She also pointed out the challenges posed by global protectionism: “The recent false accusations about Brazilian agricultural production we’ve seen are proof of rising protectionism in international trade. We need to ensure that unilateral protectionist measures do not harm what has been accomplished over the years. And that is what CNA has asked from the Brazilian government.”
Additionally, Mori stressed the significance of international trade for the sector: “CNA supports trade liberalization, understanding the importance and positive impact that exports have not only on the agricultural sector but on the Brazilian economy as a whole.
Our network of trade agreements is very limited, and we need to move forward. That is why the agreement concluded today is a landmark.”
Global Recognition of Brazilian Agriculture
Brazil, the world’s largest net exporter of food, stands out for the quality, competitiveness, and sustainability of its agricultural production. The agreement recognizes the country’s strategic role in global food security and opens new opportunities to expand the presence of Brazilian products in the European market.
With the conclusion of the negotiations, the agricultural sector now awaits the next steps that will turn this historic agreement into concrete opportunities for Brazil and the world.