EU-Mercusor agreement
The European Union and four Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – reached a political agreement on 6. December 2024 for a ground-breaking partnership agreement.
On 3 September 2025, the European Commission adopted proposals for Council decisions on the signature and conclusion of two parallel legal instruments: the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the interim Trade Agreement (iTA). The iTA will be repealed and replaced by the EMPA once the latter is fully ratified and enters into force.
The EU is Mercosur's second-largest trading partner in goods, with exports of €57 billion in 2024. The EU accounts for a quarter of total Mercosur trade in services, with EU exports to the region amounting to €29 billion in 2023.
The EU is the biggest foreign investor in Mercosur, with a stock of €390 billion in 2023. While the relationship is substantial, both exporters and potential investors face barriers in Mercosur markets.
The goals of the new EU-Mercosur trade deal are:
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to increase bilateral trade and investment, and lower tariff and non-tariff trade barriers - notably for small and medium-sized enterprises;
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to create more stable and predictable rules for trade and investment through better and stronger rules, e.g. in the area of intellectual property rights (including geographical indications), food safety standards, competition and good regulatory practices, and;
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to promote shared values and sustainable development, including by strengthening worker’s rights, fighting climate change, ensuring environmental protection, and encouraging responsible business conduct.
The agreement represents a win-win for both the EU and Mercosur, creating opportunities for growth, jobs and sustainable development on both sides.
(03.09.2025)
