Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has stated that his government is open to further discussions with the European Union (EU) regarding the government procurement chapter of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU in 2019.
Lula emphasized the importance of government procurement in fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in Brazil.
He confirmed his participation in an upcoming summit in Brussels, where the leaders of the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) will gather.
Lula believes that this summit could pave the way for the long-awaited agreement between Mercosur and the EU.
While Lula expressed his desire to conclude the negotiations that started 25 years ago, he reiterated his disagreement with the government procurement chapter included in the 2019 agreement.
Additionally, Mercosur has expressed concerns about an annexed document introduced by the EU, which focuses on environmental guarantees.
Lula sees this document as a potential threat to Mercosur’s agricultural producers and emphasizes the need for a strong response from the bloc.
For the full picture, see our Mercosur EU Trade Deal: Complete Guide.