The approval of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union generated a reaction from European leaders and those outside Europe. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) stated this Friday, 9th, through X, that the agreement was a victory for dialogue and negotiation. The president also stated that it is one of the largest free trade agreements in the world.
“A victory for dialogue, negotiation and commitment to cooperation and integration between countries and blocs”, stated the president.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated in a publication on X that the agreement is a “milestone in European trade policy”.
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“The EU-Mercosur agreement is a milestone in European trade policy and a strong sign of our strategic sovereignty and capacity for action,” wrote Merz.
“This is good for Germany and Europe, but 25 years of negotiations were very long – we need to move faster”, he concluded.
Poland’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Stefan Krajewski, stated the “consequences of this decision” and regretted the approval of the agreement.
“If Italy were on our side, the agreement would be blocked. Unfortunately, the consequences of this decision will affect us all. I repeat what I have been saying: we will protect Polish farmers”, said the minister.
Austria’s Foreign Minister, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, celebrated the approval, despite her country’s vote against it.
“I’m thrilled! Finally, there is a majority among EU Member States to [a assinatura] of the agreement with Mercosur”, stated Beate.
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“It’s no secret that I expected Austria to support the agreement too. Because one thing is clear: our economy, our businesses and our prosperity will benefit enormously from it,” the minister added.
Repercussion in Brazil
The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), stated that the agreement represents progress at a time of global trade tensions.
“In a world tempted by unilateralism and protectionism, we must redouble our commitment to international cooperation. Therefore, on behalf of the Chamber of Deputies, I celebrate the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union as an important step towards a more united, prosperous and fair world”, he wrote in X.
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The trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union will be signed on January 17 in Paraguay. The date and place were announced by the Argentine chancellor, Pablo Quirno Magrane, on the social network X, on the afternoon of this Friday, 9th.
“We will sign on January 17th in Paraguay a historic agreement and the most ambitious between both blocs,” said Quirno on X.
The agreement has been negotiated since 1999 with Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay, founding members of the South American bloc, and envisages the creation of the largest free trade zone on the planet, with more than 700 million consumers, in addition to the elimination of tariffs on more than 90% of trade between the two blocs.
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