Senator and former Minister of Agriculture states, however, that “free trade is still far away”
The vice-president of the FPA (Parliamentary Front for Agriculture), the senator (PP-MS), said this Friday (9.Jan.2026) that the “It wasn’t the dream deal, but the possible one”. He further stated that the treaty “opens doors and establishes quotas”but considers that free trade is still a long way off.
The European Union approved the agreement with Mercosur this Friday (9 January), after 26 years of negotiations. Poland, Austria, Ireland and Hungary opposed it, alleging damage to their countries’ agricultural sector.
The agreement establishes the and facilitates trade in goods and services, in addition to including commitments on intellectual property, public procurement and environmental sustainability.
With the green light, by a qualified majority of EU Member States, the EU-Mercosur agreement will only come into force after approval by the European Parliament and South American Congresses.
The senator recalls that, in 2019was in Brussels at the conclusion of the negotiations, which were later reopened. She considers it an advance approval of the agreement. However, she says that there are issues that must still be discussed as there are new safeguards imposed by the European bloc that mean, according to the senator, “unfair threats” to Brazilian agribusiness.
“Even so, the agreement can be adjusted and open up commercial prospects for Brazil. And bring alternatives for our exports in the current global protectionist situation”said the senator.
EU & MERCOSUR
The European Union is Mercosur’s 2nd largest trading partner in goods. The deal would create a common market with about 718 million people and a combined GDP of $22.4 trillion.
Brazil exported US$49.8 billion to the European Union in 2025, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2024. Imports totaled US$50.3 billion last year, with growth of 6.4% in 1 year.
The trade flow – the sum of exports and imports – exceeded US$ 100 billion for the first time in the historical series, which began in 1997. The volume rose 4.8% compared to the same period last year.
On December 6, 2024, the leaders of the two regions announced the conclusion of negotiations for the agreement, which involves reducing tariffs and cooperation in areas such as intellectual property, health rules and sustainable development, paving the way for signature and future entry into force.
In 2025, European leaders such as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz publicly defended the benefits of the agreement.
The process faced resistance in some EU countries, especially from agricultural sectors and politicians who fear competition from South American products and question environmental and social impacts. Brazil surpassed the USA and became the largest producer of beef and veal in the world in 2025.
Governments such as France asked to postpone votes on the treaty in the European Parliament, and debates on safeguards to protect domestic farmers continued in parallel to the main negotiations.
