The heads of state of Mercosur and the representative of the European Union (EU), Ursula von der Leyen, announced, this Friday (6), that a free trade agreement was signed to reduce export tariffs between the countries that make up these markets. Negotiations had been dragging on for 25 years.
The agreement was announced at a press conference in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the 65th Mercosur Heads of State Summit is taking place.
With the presence of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; the Argentine president, Javier Milei; from Uruguay, Luis Alberto Lacalle Pou; and from Paraguay, Santiago Peña, it was announced that negotiations were concluded for free trade rules between the bloc countries. In total, the agreement involves nations that total more than 750 million people.
The president of the European Union highlighted that the measure marks the beginning of a new story. “Now I look forward to discussing this with EU countries. This agreement will work for people and businesses. More jobs. More choices. Shared prosperity.”