Mercosur industrialists urge their governments to end the agreement with the EU

The industrial employers of the Mercosur, block composed of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguayurged their governments this Monday to conclude the agreement with the European Union (EU).

With the agreement “We have the opportunity to build a modern bi-regional association, aligned with the international commitments assumed by each country in terms of sustainable development”stated the Mercosur Industrial Council in a statement.

The Argentine Industrial Union (UIA), the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) of Brazil, the Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP) and the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay (CIU), which make up the Council, met this Monday in the capital Brazilian.

The declaration, prepared during the XI Mercosur Business Forum and sent to the Governments, considers that the agreement with Europe will allow “increase trade exchanges, encourage investments and promote innovation and productive capacity.”

After two decades of arduous talks, on June 28, 2019, the EU and Mercosur reached a general political agreement to seal a free trade pact.

However, the resolution of some technical aspects remained pending and, in the last year, negotiations were reopened due to the new environmental demands presented by the Europeans.

For the industry, the “rapid strengthening” of the bloc in the face of the new realities of the global economy, which has transformed production models and trade relations, “it’s crucial” for the regional bloc.

In his video intervention during the business forum, the Brazilian vice president and minister of Development, Industry and Commerce, Geraldo Alckmin, highlighted the importance of private sector support to strengthen Mercosur.

“In Mercosur we can still do much more to increase trade and physical integration between member countries. “Together we can grow more and better”Alckmin stated.