European and Mercosur business associations ask swift conclusion of EU-Mercosur FTA

In a joint call from both sides of the Atlantic, 78 business associations representing a diverse array of industries from the EU and Mercosur ask their governments to expedite the conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The statement underscores the strategic importance of reinforcing trade links, fostering investments and promoting sustainable development, which this historic agreement is built to deliver.

Addressed to the Presidents of the European Parliament, European Council, European Commission, and Hungarian Presidency of the Council, and shared with the Mercosur Presidency, the statement highlights that over €159 billion in goods and services was traded between the EU and Mercosur in 2022, with mutual investments approaching €380 billion. Together, these economic ties underpin millions of jobs on both continents. The associations highlight the importance of the EU-Mercosur agreement, emphasising that it can help mitigate the challenges posed by geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions.

The joint statement notes that the agreement represents a rare opportunity to strengthen relations between the EU and Mercosur. Both sides would benefit from an agreement that supports economic recovery and lays the foundations for sustained growth. In particular:

• Market Access and Growth: The removal of trade barriers would enable greater market access, facilitating a steady flow of goods and services.
• Supply Chain Stability: Strengthened trade relationships would mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions, securing reliable access to essential resources.
• Enhanced Cooperation: By deepening cooperation, the agreement could bolster sustainable development, labour rights, and environmental standards across both regions.

In conclusion, the coalition of business associations calls on policymakers to take immediate steps toward ratification, positioning the EU and Mercosur to advance their mutual competitiveness in a changing and challenging global landscape.

List of Signatories

1. ABAL – Associação Brasileira do Alumínio
2. ABBD – Associação Brasileira de Bebidas Destiladas
3. ABELAC – Alianza de Bebidas Espirituosas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe
4. ABIA – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Alimentos
5. ABICAB – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Chocolates, Amendoim e Balas
6. ABICALÇADOS – Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Calçados
7. ABICS – Associação Brasileira da Industria de Café Solúvel
8. ABIFINA – Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Química Fina
9. ABIHPEC – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Higiene Pessoal, Perfumaria e Cosméticos
10. ABINEE – Associação Brasileira da Indústria Elétrica e Eletrônica
11. Abipeças – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Autopeças
12. ABIPLAST – Associação Brasileira da Indústria do Plástico
13. Abiquim – Associação Brasileira da Indústria Química
14. ABIT – Associação Brasileira da Indústria Têxtil e de Confecção
15. ABITAM – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Tubos e Acessórios de Metal
16. ABPI – Associação Brasileira da Propriedade Intelectual
17. ABRABE – Associação Brasileira de Bebidas
18. ABRAFAR – Associação Brasileira de Fabricantes de Refratários
19. ABRAFRUTAS
20. ABRAMEQ – Associação brasileira das Indústrias de Máquinas e Equipamentos para os setores do couro, calçados e afins
21. ACEA – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association
22. AmCham EU
23. ANFACER – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Cerâmica para Revestimentos, Louças Sanitárias e Congêneres
24. ASIQUR – Asociación de Industrias Químicas del Uruguay
25. ASSOCIQUIM – Associação Brasileira dos Distribuidores de Produtos Químicos e Petroquímicos
26. The Brewers of Europe
27. BusinessEurope
28. CAEDHPA
29. CAOBISCO
30. CAPA
31. CAPABA – Cámara Paraguaya de Bebidas Alcohólicas
32. CASIC
33. CEC – European Footwear Confederation
34. CECE
35. CECIMO – European Association of Manufacturing Technologies
36. Cefic – European Chemical Industry Council
37. CELCAA – European Liaison Committee for Agricultural and Agri-Food Trade
38. Centro de Fabricantes de Licores
39. Cepi
40. Ceramie-Unie – The European Ceramic Industry
41. CICB – Centro das Indústrias de Curtumes do Brasil
42. CIQyP – Cámara de la Industria Química y Petroquímica
43. CIU – Cámara de Industrias del Uruguay
44. CIUS
45. CLEPA – European Association of Automotive Suppliers
46. CNI – Confederação Nacional da Indústria
47. Comité Vin
48. Cosmetics Europe – The Personal Care Association
49. COTANCE – The European Leather Industry
50. CUPCAT – Cámara Uruguaya de Perfumería, Cosmética y Artículos de Tocador
51. EDA – European Dairy Association
52. ESF – European Services Forum
53. ESRA – European Sugar Refineries Association
54. EURATEX – The European Apparel and Textile Confederation
55. Eurochambres – The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry
56. EuroCommerce
57. EUROFER
58. EUROMETAUX
59. FADA – Federación Argentina de Destilados y Aperitivos
60. FIEMG – Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Minas Gerais
61. FIEP – Federação Industrial do Paraná
62. FIERGS – Federação das Indústrias do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
63. FIESC – Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Santa Catarina
64. FIESP – Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo
65. FIRJAN – Federação das Indústrias do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
66. Grupo FarmaBrasil
67. IBRAC – Brazilian Institute of Cachaça
68. Medicines for Europe
69. Orgalim – Europe’s Technology Industries
70. SINCS – Sindicato Nacional da Indústria de Café Solúvel
71. Sindipeças – Sindicato Nacional da Indústria de Componentes para Veículos Automotores
72. SIR – Sindicato Nacional da Indústria de Refratários
73. SIREFMG – Sindicato da Indústria de Refratários no Estado de Minas Gerais
74. spiritsEUROPE
75. TIE – Toy Industries of Europe
76. UIA – União Industrial Argentina
77. UNICA – União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar
78. UPEFRUY

Read the full joint statement here