President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva takes over this Thursday (04) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the presidency of Mercosur for the next six months. One of the petista’s priorities is the conclusion of the free trade agreement between the bloc and the European Union. Officially, he assumes the leadership of the bloc next Sunday (06).
Although it has already been announced, in practice, the treaty faces the resistance of some countries. France leads the group that tries to block the deal. President Emmanuel Macron undergoes strong pressure from farmers who fear competition with the Brazilian agricultural sector. Negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that brings together Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are completed. Added, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the four countries and Mercosur exceeds $ 4 trillion.
Lula’s trip to the Mercosur summit is the first of the Brazilian president to Argentina since the inauguration of Javier Milei in December 2023. After the meeting, the Brazilian president intends to visit Cristina Kirchner, who is under house arrest after being sentenced to six years for corruption.
