Lula sends Mercosur–EU trade deal to Congress for ratification

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Monday (Feb. 2) formally submitted the text of the Mercosur–European Union trade agreement to Congress. The move was published in a special edition of the Official Gazette.

Ratification of the agreement is a short-term priority for Lula’s administration, which plans to push for swift approval across Mercosur member states. The goal is to have the South American bloc’s parliaments endorse the deal as soon as possible.

By moving ahead with ratification, Mercosur aims to send a clear signal to European countries at a time when the agreement faces legal challenges within Europe.

The strategy reflects the Lula administration’s assessment that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa remain committed to advancing the treaty. Against that backdrop, government officials say Mercosur must do its part by providing political backing to both leaders.

Message to Congress

In a message sent to Congress later on Monday, the government urged lawmakers to approve the agreement “as quickly as possible.”

“The new bloc accounts for one-quarter of global GDP and brings together a population of 720 million consumers. I am confident that the National Congress will spare no effort to incorporate this agreement in the shortest possible time,” the message said.

“The Mercosur–EU agreement opens a new cycle of opportunities for Brazilian companies, strengthens Brazil’s competitiveness, expands exports and attracts investment in a sustainable manner,” it added.

Source: Globo Rural

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