Brazil enacts Mercosur–EFTA free trade deal
The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was enacted by Brazil this Friday (Sep. 25). The bloc of European countries consists of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, which are not members of the European Union. The South American group, meanwhile, includes Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay – Venezuela has been suspended…
Brazil officially ratified the Free Trade Agreement between the Mercosur and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on September 25, 2025. The EFTA, comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, is not part of the European Union. Conversely, the South American Mercosur group includes Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, with Venezuela suspended since 2017.
The agreement, signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on September 16, 2025, aims to enhance trade and investment flows between the two blocs by reducing technical barriers, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and establishing streamlined customs procedures. It also seeks to boost access to government procurement markets and recognizes geographical indications to promote region-specific products.
Legally, the treaty will commence on October 1, 2026. The agreement's commitments span intellectual property, sustainable development, environmental protection, biodiversity, and human rights. The negotiations concluded in 2025 after ten rounds that began in 2017, with the National Congress approving the text in June and the Brazilian government ratifying it in July.
Written by urgent.news from Agencia Brasil's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
