South America's Mercosur, Europe's EFTA Bloc Seal Trade Deal
- Mercosur and the European Free Trade Association signed a free-trade agreement on Wednesday at a summit in Buenos Aires hosted by Argentine President Javier Milei.
- The deal follows nearly a decade of negotiations that started in 2015 and faced a 2019 setback over environmental disagreements, with approval now pending parliamentary ratification by both blocs.
- The agreement will establish a free trade zone encompassing a population close to 300 million and a combined GDP surpassing $4.3 trillion, with most industrial and marine product tariffs being eliminated or lowered.
- Helene Budliger, Switzerland’s leading trade official, emphasized that finalizing this deal is crucial for EFTA nations, noting that discussions have accelerated even though the implementation date is still uncertain.
- As Brazil takes over the Mercosur presidency this Thursday, it aims to finalize approval of the agreement, although opposition from France and Spain—concerned about negative impacts on their farming industries—signals a challenging path ahead for ratification.
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The Treaty with the Efta states of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein is due to be ratified this year.
·Vienna, Austria
Read Full ArticleMercosur-EFTA deal: South America, Europe forge new economic corridor with free trade pact
South America's largest trading bloc, Mercosur has signed a trade deal with the four-nation European Free Trade Association (EFTA) after 10 years of negotiation amid global economic uncertainties
·Mumbai, India
Read Full ArticleSwitzerland is driving forward the conclusion of new free trade agreements. On Wednesday, the Efta states announced an agreement with Mercosur.
·Zürich, Switzerland
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Leaning Left2Leaning Right5Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution63% Right
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