Following Brazil's congressional ratification, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the decree promulgating the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement on April 28, 2026, paving the way for provisional effect from May 1. At the ceremony, Lula highlighted multilateralism amid global tensions and announced submission of Mercosur-Singapore and Mercosur-EFTA deals to Congress.
During the Palácio do Planalto event, Lula remarked: “The response that the European Union and Brazil gave to the world is that there is nothing better than believing in the exercise of democracy, multilateralism, and cordial relations between nations.” He called the hard-won deal—finalized in January in Asunción after 26 years of talks and recently ratified by Brazil and other Mercosur nations—forged “with iron, sweat, and blood,” noting resistance from EU countries like France over agriculture.
Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira added: “In a troubled world, with strong geopolitical instability and proliferation of unilateral measures, the agreement sends a clear signal that both blocs believe in economic integration.” EU provisional application begins in May, pending a judicial review requested by the European Parliament.
In parallel, Lula forwarded the Mercosur-Singapore and Mercosur-EFTA agreements to Congress for approval, expanding Brazil's trade diversification efforts. Readers can follow prior coverage in this series on the agreement's signing and Senate approval.
