Trending Now - Brazil's VP Alckmin Hails Mercosur-eu Deal Amid Global Turmoil

WHO:

ABC News - Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin is a key negotiator of the Mercosur-EU trade deal.

ABC News - Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration is credited for efforts in making the deal happen.

ABC News - European Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged Brazil's efforts in the negotiations.

ABC News - French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concerns regarding the deal.

WHAT:

ABC News - The trade deal between Mercosur and the European Union was reached in late 2024 and is set to provisionally come into force on May 1, 2026.

ABC News - The deal is described as the largest trade agreement between two blocs, covering a market of $22 trillion and 720 million people.

ABC News - Alckmin expects a boost in Brazilian exports to the EU of about 13% per year.

ABC News - The full implementation of the deal may take up to 12 years.

WHERE:

ABC News - The negotiations and announcements took place in Brasilia, Brazil.

WHEN:

ABC News - The trade deal was signed on January 17, 2024.

ABC News - The deal is set to provisionally come into force on May 1, 2026.

WHY:

ABC News - Alckmin stated that the deal offers solace amid a time of protectionism and unilateral moves in the geopolitical landscape.

ABC News - Not finalizing the deal would have meant falling behind while other competitors made agreements.

HOW:

ABC News - The European Commission decided to provisionally enact the deal, bypassing the European Parliament, but it may be halted if the European Court of Justice rules against it.

ABC News - Alckmin mentioned that the deal was built gradually to allow Mercosur companies to improve productivity and quality over time.

(UPDATED April 23, 2026 13:25 UTC)

Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, a key negotiator of the Mercosur-EU trade deal, announced that the agreement, which is the largest trade pact between two blocs covering a market of $22 trillion and 720 million people, is set to provisionally come into force May 1st. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's administration has been credited for its efforts in making this deal happen, with Alckmin expecting a boost in Brazilian exports to the EU of about 13% per year. While European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged Brazil's contributions, French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed concerns regarding the deal.