EU and Mercosur Trade Talks in Brasilia

European Union and South American negotiators are scheduled to meet in Brasilia from September 4-6, marking the first in-person discussions since April. This meeting raises optimism for the long-awaited EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which has been under negotiation for two decades. European diplomats expressed confidence that a conclusion by the end of the year is achievable, despite previous setbacks related to environmental concerns and accusations of protectionism from the Mercosur bloc. The talks have faced challenges, notably after French President Emmanuel Macron criticized the deal as “very bad” during a visit to Brazil in March, reflecting the concerns of French farmers. Consequently, negotiations were paused until after the EU parliamentary elections in June. Key issues remain unresolved, including the protection of European food product names and Brazil's opposition to an upcoming EU anti-deforestation law that could impact its exports. Despite these hurdles, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have committed to finalizing the agreement by year-end. International relations expert Ignacio Bartesaghi noted that the EU is currently leading efforts to advance the negotiations, which promise to open markets for European businesses. Brazil is keen to maintain momentum in the talks, particularly amid uncertainties regarding the future of Argentina's participation under President Javier Milei, who has expressed support for the negotiations since taking office.