News of free trade

Brazil ratifies EU-Mercosur trade deal

05-03-2026 08:46 Brazil's Senate ratifies deal between the Mercosur bloc and the European Union; European Commission announced last week that it would provisionally implement the mammoth deal.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU advances with Mercosur trade deal in ‘provisional’ step

27-02-2026 17:53 French President Emmanuel Macron, a critic of the EU-Mercosur deal, calls the decision a “bad surprise” at an event in Paris.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU says it will provisionally apply contested Mercosur trade deal

27-02-2026 08:31 European Union announces it will implement provisionally its mammoth trade deal with the Mercosur trade bloc while waiting for a top court's ruling on its legality.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Senate approves EU-Mercosur trade deal by huge majority

26-02-2026 16:42 Lawmakers in Argentina ratify sweeping trade deal between Mercosur and European Union, hours after Uruguay did the same; Senate follows lower house approval with huge majority vote, 69 in favor, three against.

EU-MERCOSUR AGREEMENT

EU-Mercosur deal: Europe puts brakes on, Argentina pushes pedal to the metal

20-02-2026 19:29 Europe claims to defend free trade but is legislating automatic braking mechanisms for its ill-at-ease farming sector. European multilateralism has a rhetorical conviction but also electoral memory.

by Eduardo Reina

POLITICS & CONGRESS

Peronism split as lower house backs EU-Mercosur deal

13-02-2026 16:28 Ruling party secures lower house backing for sweeping trade deal between Mercosur and European Union; La Libertad Avanza wins approval with support from allied blocs and dissident Peronist deputies.

GEOPOLITICS & DIPLOMACY

‘Davos of Latin America’ tests Lula’s regional clout

28-01-2026 21:30 First gathering of regional heads of state since the United States captured Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, sparking outrage from Lula but praise from other leaders.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Merz says EU-Mercosur trade deal should take effect provisionally

24-01-2026 09:28 “Democratic legitimacy” of the EU’s Mercosur deal with Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay is beyond doubt, German chancellor declares as he calls for its implementation.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Milei welcomes EU trade deal but puts Mercosur on notice

17-01-2026 16:44 President Javier Milei hails trade pact at ceremony in Asunción; Argentina’s leader welcomes EU agreement but warned he will continue seeking trade deals with other countries that “support freedom.”

GLOBAL TRADE

EU, Mercosur bloc ink major trade deal, reject 'tariffs' and 'isolation'

17-01-2026 15:06 South American bloc and European Union finally signs major trade deal are quarter-century of torturous negotiations.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU inks South America trade deal after 25 years of negotiations

17-01-2026 14:46 Two blocs sign one of the world’s largest free-trade agreements, clinching a deal that has been in the works for more than two decades.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Is Vaca Muerta now a dead cow – and EU-Mercosur deal a cherubic baby?

17-01-2026 00:12 Today will go down as a historic day with the world’s biggest free-trade area numbering over 700 million consumers signed into being in the Paraguayan capital of Asunción.

by Michael Soltys

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Lula, Von der Leyen hail EU-Mercosur deal as key for prosperity, multilateralism

16-01-2026 17:42 Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen hail EU-Mercosur trade deal as key for prosperity and multilateralism.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Historic EU-Mercosur deal signing fails to unite Lula, Milei

15-01-2026 21:19 Long-awaited EU-Mercosur trade pact set to be signed in Asunción Saturday; Milei, Peña and Orsi all expected to attend ceremony, though Lula won’t travel.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Long-awaited EU-Mercosur trade pact set for signing

15-01-2026 00:38 Mercosur and the European Union will on Saturday sign an agreement to create one of the world’s largest free‑trade zones, a deal that has sparked tensions with Europe’s agricultural sector and aims to offer a "third way" amid the rivalry between the United States and China.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Milei to travel to Paraguay for signing of EU-Mercosur trade deal

13-01-2026 22:08 Mercosur-European Union treaty to be signed in Asunción on Saturday; Argentina’s leader will travel, but Lula’s attendance in doubt.; Expectations in libertarian ranks.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU confirms Mercosur trade deal will be signed January 17 in Paraguay

12-01-2026 10:04 EU gave a long-delayed go-ahead last Friday to the huge trade pact with the South American Mercosur, overriding opposition led by key power France.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU trade deal with Mercosur defies Trump’s protectionism

12-01-2026 08:44 EU deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will create a massive free-trade area, showing that broad multilateral deals remain possible in a global order upended by Donald Trump.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU-Mercosur trade deal will be signed January 17, confirms foreign minister

09-01-2026 17:48 "The good news continues" – Argentina’s government celebrates EU greenlight for Mercosur trade agreement; Milei, Minister Caputo and Quirno join in the celebrations.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

European Union approves free-trade agreement with Mercosur

09-01-2026 13:36 Greenlight clears the way for Ursula von der Leyen to travel to Asunción, Paraguay, to sign the sweeping trade pact.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Germany 'very confident Italy will now agree' to EU-Mercosur trade deal

07-01-2026 13:20 German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius tells reporters that EU is "very confident that Italy will now agree to Mercosur agreement."

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU offers farmers extra funds to quell anger at Mercosur deal

06-01-2026 14:00 European Union will adjust its budget proposal for 2028-2034 to allow farmers early access to around 45 billion euros (US$53 billion) in funding.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU hopes to sign Mercosur trade deal soon

05-01-2026 18:59 EU agriculture ministers will discuss the agreement on Wednesday during an extraordinary meeting in Brussels.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Italy plans to back Mercosur, paving way for EU trade deal

05-01-2026 18:25 Deal can pass without support from France and just needs a qualified majority of the EU’s 27 member states.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Mercosur wants on-the-fence EU to know it has other options

21-12-2025 08:48 As the European Union struggles to complete a trade deal with Mercosur, competitors eyeing South America’s consumer market and vast mineral resources are taking note.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Europe stumbles in its attempt to bypass Trump’s world order

20-12-2025 14:12 The ongoing failure to ratify the accord is a blow for the EU, which wants to use the transatlantic agreement as evidence that it could be a global power.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Lula paves way for postponement of EU-Mercosur trade deal signing

18-12-2025 16:51 After call with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Brazil president says will present proposed EU trade deal postponement to Mercosur at weekend summit.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Lula tells EU it’s now or never for Mercosur trade deal

17-12-2025 16:51 EU has been racing to finalise the accord with Mercosur ahead of a signing ceremony tentatively scheduled for Saturday.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Mercosur deal gets boost after lawmakers back farmer protections

16-12-2025 22:12 EU lawmakers and member states are rushing to finalise the deal with the Mercosur bloc – Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay – before a potential signing ceremony on Saturday.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

France seeks to delay EU-Mercosur accord, risking deal’s collapse

11-12-2025 14:53 France seeks to delay accord over agricultural concerns; Paris wants to postpone signing until at least early next year.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Mercosur leaders to meet December 20, ready to sign EU trade deal

11-12-2025 14:49 December 20 is the deadline set by the European Commission for a green light from European states on the agreement that has met with opposition from France.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU vows stricter controls for imports ahead of Mercosur deal vote

10-12-2025 14:38 To verify that products comply with EU standards, the European Commission promised to increase the number of controls abroad by 50 percent over the next two years.

EU-MERCOSUR AGREEMENT

Decisive weeks in Brussels for the EU-Mercosur trade agreement

19-11-2025 17:47 European farmers continue to strongly oppose the free-trade deal, which they consider a direct threat to such sectors including meat and sugar.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU finalises farmer protections, advancing Mercosur trade deal

06-11-2025 19:00 European Union takes step toward approving its massive trade agreement with South American nations.

MILEI AT WHITE HOUSE

US President says he’ll discuss trade deal with Milei, defends lifeline

14-10-2025 16:04 US President Donald Trump says he will discuss a potential free-trade agreement with Argentina during White House talks with President Javier Milei.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Farmers call Paris protest against EU-Mercosur deal

23-09-2025 11:50 French farmers union to stage massive protest next month in rejection of the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU pushes ahead with bid to ratify Mercosur free-trade deal

03-09-2025 14:50 Agreement needs approval of the European Parliament and a qualified majority of its 27 member states.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU presents Mercosur deal for member states' approval

03-09-2025 11:23 Agreement would form a 700-million-customer free-trade area – the world's biggest – but it still faces opposition in Europe over agricultural concerns.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU to present Mercosur trade deal for member state approval

01-09-2025 13:40 Deal is backed by a wide majority of EU countries keen to diversify trade away from the United States, but France remains staunchly opposed.

MERCOSUR TRADE TALKS

Mercosur, European EFTA bloc conclude talks on free-trade deal

02-07-2025 19:10 Mercosur and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) close negotiations over a free-trade agreement.

MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Swiss-Norway group and South America’s Mercosur agree on free-trade deal

02-07-2025 18:17 European Free Trade Association of Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland finalise free-trade agreement with Mercosur bloc.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU to present Mercosur trade deal 'in coming days'

30-06-2025 13:01 European Commission will present EU states with the final legal version of a trade deal with South American nations "in the coming days," says spokesperson.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Brazil's Lula urges Macron to seal EU-Mercosur trade deal

05-06-2025 12:14 Brazil's president urges French counterpart to "finalise" EU trade deal with Mercosur during visit to Paris.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Merz tells France Mercosur trade deal must be ratified 'quickly'

07-05-2025 11:13 New German chancellor Friedrich Merz says EU countries should "quickly" ratify a free-trade deal with the Mercosur bloc that has met with staunch opposition from France.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU offers timeline for final Mercosur deal proposal

10-04-2025 14:28 Top EU spokesperson says he wants to present a proposal for sweeping free-trade agreement before “end of summer,” with legal review ongoing.

MERCOSUR TRADE

Lula urges Mercosur-Japan deal to counter Trump protectionism

26-03-2025 08:38 Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva calls for new trade deal between Mercosur bloc and Japan during visit to Tokyo.

BILATERAL TRADE

Trump says he is open to a trade deal with Argentina

04-03-2025 15:39 US President Donald Trump responds positively to question speculating over likelihood of US-Argentina free-trade deal.

POLLING & SURVEYS

Argentines want US trade deal despite competition, tariff fears

11-02-2025 09:03 Argentines support President Milei’s quest to negotiate a free-trade agreement with the United States, but are split over competing with US firms.