EU-Mercosur Project

The European Union and Mercosur – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – have finalised an association agreement, including a trade deal, that could bring substantial economic, political and environmental gains to both sides. It is essential to deepen that relationship in a time of geopolitical turbulence – not least in the broader context of growing superpower tensions.

But there are political obstacles to the agreement. Several forces in Europe would like to see the deal with Mercosur overthrown during the ratification process. There are deep divisions among EU Member States, as well as Members of the European Parliament, and the outcome is not yet clear.

Much depends on the European debate becoming more fact-based and less built on myths about the agreement.

The new EU-Mercosur project will establish a comprehensive program for advancing a more fact-based debate that engages Mercosur actors to join what is currently a largely Euro-centric discussion. We will engage with experts and officials to foster debate on how the ratification of this trade agreement presents opportunities for supply chain resilience through diversification and could provide opportunities to tackle common challenges, including climate change. We will focus on areas of economic development, environment, digital integration and will anchor them in economic and political analyses and informed views about recent advancements in both regions.

The project will be directed by Emily Rees, a Senior Fellow at ECIPE.

ECIPE would like to thank Bayer for providing additional financial support for this project.