EU kickstarts Mercosur pact to counter US trade hit

April 30, 2026 2:52 PM

EU kickstarts Mercosur pact to counter US trade hit

The European Union and South American bloc Mercosur will implement on Friday a contentious free trade agreement that the EU in particular hopes will benefit exporters and calm critics, even if it cannot fully offset the blow from U.S. tariffs. Backers including Germany and Spain say the agreement will help compensate for the hit from U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs and reduce reliance on China for critical minerals. France and other critics argue it will increase imports of cheap beef and...

EU and Mercosur sign trade deal after 25 years of negotiations

January 18, 2026 9:40 AM

EU and Mercosur sign trade deal after 25 years of negotiations

Top officials from the EU and the South American bloc Mercosur signed a free trade agreement on Saturday in Paraguay, paving the way for the European Union's largest-ever trade accord after 25 years of negotiations. The agreement, designed to lower tariffs and boost trade between the two regions, must now gain the consent of the European Parliament and be ratified by the legislatures of Mercosur members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen...