EU-Mercosur agreement

The EU and four Mercosur countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay — reached a political agreement in December 2024 to boost trade and investment. On 3 September 2025, the European Commission adopted proposals for the signature and conclusion of two legal instruments: the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and an interim Trade Agreement (iTA), which will be replaced by the EMPA once fully ratified. The deal lowers tariffs and non-tariff barriers, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, sets clear rules on intellectual property, food safety, competition, and regulatory standards, and promotes workers’ rights, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Learn more about it at the European Commission’s trade policy website.