Latest news and stories about trade agreement in government in Portugal for expats and residents.
The European Union and Mexico have finalized an agreement in Mexico City to modernize their 2001 partnership, focusing on enhanced political and economic cooperation, the elimination of trade tariffs, and the promotion of equal market access for service providers.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has officially promulgated the Mercosur-EU trade agreement following its approval by the National Congress in March.
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.
Portugal faces a mixed outcome from the EU–Mercosur trade agreement. Export-oriented sectors such as wine, olive oil and cheese see expanded market access to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as growth opportunities, while domestic meat and rice producers fear increased competition, downward price pressure and quota-driven market disruption. The deal thus creates winners and losers within Portugal’s agricultural and food industries, highlighting the need for safeguards, support measures and sectoral adaptation strategies.
Update: The trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur is due to be signed this Saturday. The impending signature has intensified debate in Portugal: wine, olive oil and cheese sectors are positioning to capture growth in the four South American markets, while meat and rice producers renew warnings about heightened competition, downward price pressure and quota effects. Stakeholders are pressing for concrete safeguards, transitional support and clear implementation timetables to mitigate adjustment costs and protect sensitive domestic producers.
The European Commission confirmed that President Ursula von der Leyen will sign the EU–Mercosur free trade agreement on Saturday 17 January, after the EU approved advancement of the deal despite objections from France, Hungary and Poland. Supporters argue the pact will boost exports and deepen ties with South America, while farmers and some domestic political actors warn of negative impacts on agriculture and standards. The move has been framed by some commentators as a rare act of multilateral diplomacy amid broader geopolitical tensions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel to New Delhi at the end of January for the EU–India summit with the explicit aim of finalising a long‑sought EU–India trade agreement. Having concluded the Mercosur talks, von der Leyen says the Commission is working intensively to wrap up negotiations, a move with significant economic and geopolitical implications for EU trade policy and relations with India.
Before knowing the results, Paulo Portas takes stock of the election campaign in Brazil and comments on potential scenarios
Portugal and India strengthen their economic ties through the implementation of the new EU-India Free Trade Agreement.
The President of the European Commission has invited Canada to become the first formal associate member of the European Union, a partnership that the Canadian Prime Minister believes could 'create the next world order.' If implemented, this new alliance will expand the market on both sides of the Atlantic and foster cooperation in areas vital to the economy and resilience of both parties. The partnership, presented by EU and Canadian leaders as an alliance based on shared democratic values, also serves as a response to the aggressive stance of the Trump administration in the United States. This article provides a Q&A on the initiative, explaining that the 'associate member' status is a new legal model that does not grant Canada voting rights in EU institutions, nor does it imply adoption of the euro or automatic freedom of movement. Instead, it offers a privileged status for strategic cooperation, integration into critical European programs, and a seat at the table for key debates. The alliance aims to strengthen the CETA trade agreement, secure supply chains for critical minerals, and enhance cooperation in defence, energy, and artificial intelligence, while potentially serving as a future model for countries like Australia, New Zealand, or Ukraine.
European Commission president proposes a new “Alliance for the Future” to build on existing trade EU-Canada trade agreement.
An associate professor at the European University of Lisbon believes that the Court of Justice, which will rule on the legality of the trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU, will side with the European Commission.
Vitalino Canas argues that Portugal should act as a strategic gateway for Brazil within the framework of the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
The treaty between the two economic blocs entered into force provisionally on May 1st, but for its definitive implementation, it must receive the approval of the European Court, where it is currently under review.
A seminar on the treaty, which encompasses 31 countries and over 700 million people, will take place on Wednesday, September 16, starting at 2:30 PM, with a live broadcast on the PÚBLICO website.
With a 30-year twinning agreement with Zhuhai, Castelo Branco is strengthening ties with China. The municipality is taking companies and the Polytechnic to Chongqing and Chengdu in October following an agreement with the Portuguese-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
President of the European Council advocates for a “fair and predictable trade relationship”.
The agreement approved by Parliament will allow for the elimination of customs tariffs, ensuring “strong trade and investment” on both sides. Safeguards against the imposition of new tariffs are required.
The Parliament's main demands include a protection mechanism with a sunset clause, provisions for reviewing the agreement, and safeguards against the imposition of new tariffs by the US.
Final vote is now scheduled for June 16.
José Cesário highlights that Portugal is “enthusiastic” about expanding the free trade agreement with the entry into force of the Mercosur-EU deal on May 1st, but admits that there may be obstacles and readjustments.
Poland will challenge the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur at the Court of Justice of the European Union. The move is seen as a largely symbolic gesture to deflect pressure from the opposition on Donald Tusk's government. The trade agreement provisionally enters into force on the first day...
Lula da Silva praises the Brazilian work ethic and emphasizes the current positive state of diplomatic ties between Brazil and Portugal.
The trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries will provisionally enter into force starting May 1st.
The President of Brazil met with Luís Montenegro this Tuesday.
Former Socialist MEP Isabel Santos analyses the proposal that Pedro Sánchez plans to make to the European Union, which consists of requesting the cancellation of the trade agreement between the EU and Israel.
In a few days, on April 21, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to arrive in Portugal for his first visit to the European country under the leadership of António José Seguro. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro will also attend the meeting. Lula intends to arrive in Portugal 'making noise' about a specific topic, as he has previously stated: the finalisation of the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union. Watch Iara Lemos' opinion on Radar DN Brasil. Radar DN Brasil airs every Friday at 8 am on the DN Brasil YouTube and Spotify channels, featuring a weekly summary and everything of interest to Brazilians in Portugal. DN Brasil is a section of Diário de Notícias dedicated to the Brazilian community living in or planning to move to Portugal. The texts are written in Brazilian Portuguese.
The European Parliament is meeting in Brussels for a two-day mini-plenary session starting this Wednesday, the 25th, focusing on concerns over energy prices and the trade agreement between the EU and the United States. MEPs will debate energy security scenarios in light of the expanded conflict in the Middle East, triggered by Israel and US attacks on Iran since February 28th, and the closure of traffic in the Strait of Hormuz—a route through which about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas circulates. Representatives of the Council and the Commission will be questioned on measures to strengthen supply security, stabilise the market, and protect price affordability. On Thursday, the 26th, the negotiating position on customs tariffs in the EU-US agreement is expected to be approved, including a clause that allows for the suspension of the treaty should Washington impose new tariffs or threaten the territorial integrity of member states. Discussions are also planned on the reform of the return policy for irregular immigrants and on the developments of the last European Council, namely Viktor Orbán's veto of the 90 billion loan to Ukraine. The European Council is attempting today to provide a response to high energy prices.
The European Parliament will address its negotiating position regarding the EU-US agreement, advocating for the inclusion of a clause that allows for suspension should the US impose new tariffs or threaten the integrity of any of the 27 member states.
The President of the European Commission states that the global economy is in a phase of “struggle” between powers, in a context marked by geopolitical tensions.
