The approval this Friday (9) of the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, after more than 25 years of negotiation, represents a historic milestone for Brazilian trade policy. The agreement promises to eliminate tariffs and open new markets, and Brazil, being one of the largest food producers in the world, hopes to benefit from access to the new market. The treaty establishes the progressive elimination of taxes on most national exports, but imposes significant environmental and regulatory adequacy challenges for agribusiness and industry.
According to Ricardo Inglez de Souza, a lawyer specializing in International Trade and Economic Law, the pact has relevance that transcends the exchange of goods. According to him, the signing of the document occurs at a strategic global moment. He assesses that, given current geopolitical tensions, the consolidation of a multilateral agreement reinforces the role of economic dialogue between large blocs.
In addition to the tariff reduction, which directly benefits Brazilian agribusiness products, the treaty expands access for national companies to so-called government purchases in Europe. This means that Brazilian companies will be able to compete in public tenders in European countries under equal conditions. The agreement also modernizes the rules of origin, which simplifies bureaucracy and brings more predictability to export operations.
According to Inglez, the agreement should act as a driver for the diversification of Brazil’s commercial partnerships. He also projects an increase in the flow of European investments in the country, with a focus on strategic areas for national development. The infrastructure, renewable energy and technology sectors should be the main beneficiaries, which positively impacts the logistics and sustainability of rural production.
Despite the opportunities, implementing the agreement requires homework. The text incorporates rigorous environmental and social commitments, aligned with global demands for sustainability. Ricardo Inglez warns that it will be necessary to advance internal regulatory modernization. Compliance with European environmental requirements will be mandatory for anyone wishing to access that market.
Sectors sensitive to international competition, such as the chemical and automotive industries, will have longer transition periods to adapt to the new open market reality. For the agricultural sector, this reinforces the need for traceability and certification of production processes, ensuring that exported products meet the environmental preservation criteria required by the European bloc.
Fully taking advantage of the benefits of the treaty depends not only on Brazil, but on harmony with its neighbors. The agreement provides mechanisms for civil society participation and reinforces the need for regional integration. Inglez concludes that cohesion between Mercosur member countries — Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay — will be decisive.
For the expert, only with coordinated action will the South American bloc be able to achieve the economic and diplomatic gains foreseen in the final document.
