Brazil's VP Alckmin Highlights Mercosur-EU Trade Deal as a Strategic Win
Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin has emphasized the significance of the trade agreement between the South American bloc Mercosur and the European Union. The deal, which took over 25 years to negotiate, is set to provisionally come into force on May 1. Alckmin, a key negotiator, views the agreement as a crucial step in opening markets amidst a global trend of protectionism. The deal, covering a market of $22 trillion and 720 million people, faced delays due to opposition from farmers and environmentalists, as well as legal challenges within the EU. Despite these hurdles, the agreement is expected to boost Brazilian exports to the EU by approximately 13% annually.