With EU-Mercosur Trade negotiations having begun in 1999 and agreement in principle reached in 2019 the talks have not made it across the finishing line yet. Finally, in December 2024, an agreement on the free trade deal was announced and waits for approval/endorsement from at least 15 of the 27 EU member countries. 

The protectionist trade and tarriff policies of the new US administration under President Trump have now added new incentive and urgency for both sides to remove the final obstacles to closing the deal.

We invited Paolo Garzotti from the European Commission (DG Trade) to familiarize us with the current status, remaining obstacles and the potential benefits for both sides.