Merkel expects Mercosur agreement: A turning point for trade!

Merkel expects Mercosur agreement: A turning point for trade!

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is optimistic about the early conclusion of the Mercosur agreement between the EU and the South American Mercosur states, as he said after the EU summit in Brussels. EU heads of state and government agree that the agreement should be adopted quickly. Merz emphasizes that there are no fundamental objections from the heads of state and government, just minor open questions that need to be clarified. The Chancellor emphasizes the importance of a rapid conclusion for the EU's perception at the international level and for the conclusion of further trade agreements in the Indo-Pacific region.

While these positive signals can be heard from Berlin, French President Emmanuel Macron expresses concerns. He explains that France cannot support the agreement in its current form. Macron calls for additional protection mechanisms for agriculture and emphasizes that trade agreements must be consistent with the EU's climate goals.

The current status of the negotiations

According to information from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the EU and the Mercosur states - consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay - successfully concluded negotiations on the Mercosur free trade agreement in December 2024. This agreement was reached on the sidelines of a summit of Mercosur countries in Montevideo, Uruguay. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Robert Habeck, described the conclusion of the agreement as positive news and emphasized the importance of the intensified partnership.

The Mercosur agreement not only has the potential to create one of the largest free trade areas in the world, but also offers the opportunity to expand the common market and establish closer trade relations with over 750 million inhabitants. A central goal of the agreement is to reduce dependencies and promote climate goals, environmental standards and human rights.

Economic and geopolitical relevance

The agreement, which provides for the elimination of tariffs on both European exports and imports, is seen as crucial for diversifying the German economy. It will also facilitate access to critical raw materials such as lithium and copper. In recent months, negotiations have also addressed important issues regarding trade and sustainable development. The Federal Government is committed to concluding this agreement, which has not only economic but also geopolitical significance.

However, before the agreement can be signed, legal reviews must be carried out by the European Commission and translations must be made into the languages ​​of the contracting states. Despite the open questions that still need to be clarified, Merz sees the conclusion of the agreement as a decisive step for the EU and global trade.

For more details and information, please visit the coverage of T Online as well as the press release from Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection.