The Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) this Wednesday, the 18th, making the country the last in the South American bloc to ratify the deal after 26 years of negotiations. The enactment of the agreement now rests with President Santiago Peña. Paraguay's approval coincides with the Brazilian Congress's enactment of the legislative decree ratifying the agreement. The document, signed by Mercosur and EU members on January 17 in Asunción, received the positive vote of all 58 deputies present. Chamber of Deputies President Raúl Latorre described the pact as one of the most important trade agreements of the century, noting it will boost exports and strengthen economic ties. The agreement creates a market of 720 million people and will enter into full force once ratified by the European Parliament following a legal review by the EU Court of Justice.
An EFPIA study quantifies the European gains if the EU reduces the gap compared to its rivals: more investment, more jobs, and access to treatments for 158,000 patients.
Small regional events reverberate globally, making the interpretation of indirect signs an even more relevant and essential tool for anticipating trends and decisions that will shape the future. Opinion by João Ferreira da Cruz
The metallurgical and steel sector will grow 1.1% in Europe in 2026, which represents a slowdown, despite the EU having implemented measures to promote local industry.
Energy is emerging as the second largest barrier to investment in the European Union, according to a survey of companies across the continent. High price levels and their volatility are the main complaints. Energy prices in the EU remain substantially higher than in the US and China.
The European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Maria Luís Albuquerque, is hosting the first meeting this Monday with the network she created with national ambassadors to promote financial literacy in the European Union (EU). Today, the Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, Maria Luís Albuquerque...
The price of oil has never been just a logistical cost variable or an indicator of pressure at fuel pumps; by 2026, it has consolidated itself as the most sophisticated mechanism for the redistribution of power and capital on a global scale. While Brent fluctuates at levels that punish importing economies, the conventional narrative focuses, almost obsessively, ...
The implementation of Mário Draghi's recommendations remains slow, limiting investment, productivity, growth, and employment in Europe, according to the Reform Barometer by BusinessEurope, the largest European business confederation, of which the CIP–Confederation of Portuguese Business is a member. 'Only about 11% of the recommendations presented by Draghi in September 2024 have been implemented to date,' says Rafael Alves Rocha, Director-General of the CIP, in a statement. This situation leads the organization to assert that 'political messages in defence of competitiveness are not enough; urgent measures are needed to clearly and immediately alleviate the burden on companies.' The topic will be debated at the conference 'European Competitiveness 18 months after the Draghi Report,' taking place tomorrow (March 17) at the Bank of Portugal's Money Museum in Lisbon. The event, organized with the support of the CIP, will feature the participation of the Assistant Secretary of State and Budget, João Maria Brandão de Brito. The debate will focus on the most urgent challenges for European growth, with contributions from officials from the Bank of Portugal, BusinessEurope, academia, financial institutions, and the CIP. Economists and representatives from the business sector are also expected to attend. The 2026 edition of the Reform Barometer, one of the main European publications dedicated to analyzing economic reforms and EU competitiveness, will be on the table, the statement says. This study is published annually and analyzes the performance of European economies in areas such as public finance, business environment, innovation and skills, access to finance, taxation, financial stability, and the labor market. In this edition, the barometer reveals that nearly 60% of national confederations, members of BusinessEurope, have a more favorable opinion of the European Commission's competitiveness and growth agenda than a year ago. However, only 19% of respondents point to an improvement in the EU's investment environment, while more than half see no change. About a third state that conditions have worsened. The conference program includes debates on the state of EU competitiveness in a context of increasing global competition, the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the role of cohesion policy in supporting investment, and the development of the Savings and Investments Union. Navigator heads towards the future with bets on tissue paper and coffee capsules; footwear sector invests 50 million to position itself as a supplier to the European military sector.
The price of Brent crude, the European benchmark, rose more than 2% by 08:22 and was trading above 105 dollars before the opening of European stock markets. Brent prices briefly exceeded 106 dollars at the market opening this Monday, the 16th, but later moderated to 105 dollars. European markets are pointing towards mixed openings today, with slight declines in Madrid and London, and gains of up to 0.4% in Frankfurt, Paris, and Milan. Meanwhile, the price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude, the American benchmark, rose 1.7% to 98.57 dollars per barrel. US President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that NATO faces a 'very bad future' if allies do not cooperate to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for international oil trade blocked by Iranian forces. The International Energy Agency (IEA) decided last week to release 400 million barrels from its strategic reserves to help ease oil price tensions. Crude prices remain volatile due to expectations of a prolonged oil war and ongoing issues in the Strait of Hormuz, where several tankers have been attacked.
Portugal (Lisbon) is negotiating with Spain (Madrid) regarding a common Iberian market, ignoring that the true legislative power in Spain resides within the 17 autonomous communities.
The webpage provides access to the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, managed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. It offers information on funding opportunities, tenders, and projects within the European Union, including resources relevant to Portugal. Users can explore calls for tenders, funding programs, and data related to EU-funded initiatives, with options to apply for grants, loans, and venture capital. The portal also features support services, APIs, and links to related EU funding resources, facilitating access for Portuguese entities seeking EU financial support.
Economist Filipe Grilo previews what we can expect from the European Central Bank, taking into account the instability the global economy is experiencing due to the escalation of the war in the Middle East.
Galp announced that the Brazilian government has approved a 12% tax on crude oil exports, effective since Thursday. The measure directly affects shipments from the country and will have financial consequences for the Portuguese oil company. In a statement sent to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) this Friday, March 13, the company estimates that the negative effect could reach up to 100 million, a preliminary figure disclosed in the same note. Galp emphasizes that this quantification is based on current market conditions and expected exports. The Brazilian government expects the tax to remain in place for at least four months, during which time Galp will monitor developments and assess the operational and economic impact. Galp acquires oil exploration rights in three new areas on the Brazilian coast.
The article primarily discusses the recent US inflation data and its implications for global markets, with a focus on economic trends affecting Portugal. It highlights how US inflation influences monetary policy decisions worldwide, including Portugal's economic outlook. The piece emphasizes the importance for investors and policymakers in Portugal to monitor inflation rates, interest rate adjustments, and their impact on the Portuguese economy, markets, and public finances. Overall, it underscores the interconnectedness of global inflation trends and Portugal's economic stability.
Portugal and Spain have announced a joint bid to develop an AI gigafactory, with an investment of €8 billion, aiming to enhance their technological capabilities and position in the global innovation market. The project will establish infrastructure in both countries, with Sines in Portugal as a key location, and is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Southern Europe's role in AI development. This initiative reflects a significant political and economic collaboration between the two nations, focusing on equitable resource distribution and fostering a competitive edge in the digital economy.
Europe can only realise its AI ambitions by ramping up investment not just in compute and networks but in trusted, advanced connectivity. Success depends equally on policy — harmonised rules, interoperable standards, cross‑border data governance and targeted financing — alongside technology, infrastructure, skills and public‑private partnerships to accelerate deployment and adoption.
The piece argues that Europe must produce clear, coordinated leadership to carve an autonomous path between China and the United States. It calls for an urgent common strategy centred on economic levers — investment, industrial policy, trade and activation of EU instruments — combined with political unity to protect strategic autonomy and ensure Europe remains a meaningful global actor. Without decisive economic-focused leadership, Europe risks strategic irrelevance.
The EU–India trade agreement creates a “rare opportunity” to expand Portuguese agri‑food exports, with olive oil singled out as the main beneficiary. The Federation of Portuguese Agri‑food Industries said there are “absolutely favourable conditions for olive oil exports” and described the pact as an unprecedented chance for the sector. To convert the opportunity into sustained growth, industry representatives stress the need for investment in production capacity, market development and compliance with buyer standards, while monitoring regulatory and logistical challenges that could affect competitiveness.
Portugal's Foreign Minister backed a European countermeasure, echoing Macron's proposal to give the EU the power to limit imports or block investments from countries that use coercive economic measures. In response to threats from President Trump — notably over Greenland — the European Parliament has suspended ratification of a bilateral trade agreement that would have removed US tariffs, a move supported across the political spectrum and by the 27 member states. The shift signals growing EU unity on trade defence and calibrated reciprocity in US–EU economic relations.
The Draghi Report's ambitions force Europe to confront uncomfortable realities: it is falling significantly behind global competitors. The analysis argues that the ‘race’ has been underway for years and that closing the gap requires urgent, active policy choices — including structural reforms, targeted investment and a renewed focus on competitiveness across the single market.
António Costa says this is a historic agreement between the European Union and Mercosur and rejected criticism that it favours Europe. According to the President of the European Council, it is a trade agreement but also one on investment.
Galp and Moeve have entered detailed talks to combine their refining operations and filling-station networks, a complex transaction that is likely to be lengthy and closely scrutinised. The Portuguese Communist Party has already criticised the proposed deal and the government will have a role in the approval process, raising political as well as regulatory stakes. The transaction will test Brussels’ evolving approach to competition and regulation in the energy sector, with implications for pricing, investment and market structure in Portugal.
Julien Jarjoura, an investor based in Switzerland, has acquired Claire’s European business, preserving roughly 200 jobs in Portugal and maintaining the brand’s retail footprint across Europe. The purchase effectively separates the continental operation from insolvency proceedings affecting Claire’s in the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland, stabilising local employment and stores while broader group restructuring and creditor processes continue.
