Uruguayan President shows little optimism on Mercosur-EU agreement

Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou recently voiced his reservations about the swift ratification of the commercial agreement between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the European Union (EU).

Initially reached in 2019, this pact is awaiting approval from both sides.

Speaking to DNews during the inauguration of Paraguay’s new leader, Santiago Peña, in Asunción, Lacalle Pou expressed, “I’m not very hopeful.”

He mentioned specific aspects of the deal that Uruguay might disagree with and hinted at possible differing viewpoints from Brazil and Argentina, suggesting further delays.

He reasoned that if issues arise with a European nation and a Mercosur country also creates delays, the process won’t conclude quickly.

Highlighting the prolonged nature of these talks, he mentioned, “25 years of negotiation doesn’t seem logical in today’s age.”

It’s worth noting that, after two decades of discussions, Mercosur and the EU finalized their negotiations for a Strategic Association Agreement in Brussels, Belgium, on June 28, 2019.

For the full picture, see our Mercosur EU Trade Deal: Complete Guide.