On June 30, 2025, Brazil assumed the presidency of Mercosur, with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva focusing on finalizing the trade agreement with the European Union.
President Lula appealed to French President Emmanuel Macron to advance the deal during his visit to France, but Macron reiterated his concerns about environmental and sanitary standards.
The EU-Mercosur trade agreement, finalized in December 2024, aims to create a vast free trade zone, but faces resistance from EU member states, particularly France, due to agricultural and environmental concerns.
French farmers fear the agreement could undermine European farming standards. Brazil's presidency is expected to facilitate dialogue between the EU and Mercosur nations to address these concerns.
The upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025 may provide a platform for further discussions. The outcome of these negotiations will significantly impact international trade relations.