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Diplomatic initiative

Mercosur trade agreements with partners outside the region (India, Israel, SACU, Egypt, Palestine, Singapore, European Union, and EFTA)

Problem
Trade conditions between Mercosur and India, Israel, the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), Egypt, Palestine, Singapore, the European Union, and the EFTA states, negotiated in preferential trade agreements and free trade agreements.
Who it serves
Trade between Brazil, the other Mercosur countries, and these partners.
How it works
Each agreement is signed by the Mercosur countries and the partner, approved by the National Congress by legislative decree and promulgated by presidential decree, with its own date of entry into force or application for Brazil.

International relationsEconomic development

Relation to the Lula governments

Shared implementation · First term (2003 to 2006) · since January 2004

The Preferential Trade Agreement between Mercosur and India was concluded in New Delhi on January 25, 2004 (annexes signed on March 19, 2005), approved by the National Congress through Legislative Decree No. 221 of September 3, 2008, entered into force in the external legal sphere on June 1, 2009, and was promulgated by Decree No. 6,864 of May 29, 2009, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[1]

Shared implementation · Second term (2007 to 2010) · from December 2007 to August 2010

The Preferential Trade Agreement between Mercosur and India was concluded in New Delhi on January 25, 2004 (annexes signed on March 19, 2005), approved by the National Congress through Legislative Decree No. 221 of September 3, 2008, entered into force in the external legal sphere on June 1, 2009, and was promulgated by Decree No. 6,864 of May 29, 2009, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[1]

The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Israel was signed in Montevideo on December 18, 2007, approved by Legislative Decree No. 936 of December 17, 2009, has been in force for Brazil in the external legal sphere since April 3, 2010, and was promulgated by Decree No. 7,159 of April 27, 2010, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[2]

The Preferential Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) was signed by the Mercosur countries in Salvador on December 15, 2008 and by the African countries in Maseru on April 3, 2009; the Congress approved it through Legislative Decree No. 200 of September 18, 2015, the agreement entered into force for Brazil on April 1, 2016, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 8,703 of April 1, 2016, signed by Dilma Rousseff.[3]

The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Egypt was signed in San Juan on August 2, 2010; the Congress approved it through Legislative Decree No. 216 of October 9, 2015, the agreement entered into force for Mercosur in the external legal sphere on September 1, 2017, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 9,229 of December 6, 2017, signed by Michel Temer. The preamble mentions the Mercosur-Egypt Framework Agreement of July 7, 2004.[4]

Shared implementation · Third term (since 2023) · since December 2023

The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the State of Palestine was signed in Montevideo on December 20, 2011, approved by Legislative Decree No. 150 of September 10, 2018, entered into force for Brazil in the external legal sphere on August 9, 2024, and was promulgated by Decree No. 12,432 of April 11, 2025, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[5]

The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Singapore was signed by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on December 7, 2023, approved by Legislative Decree No. 147 of June 22, 2026; Brazil deposited the instrument of ratification with Paraguay on June 30, 2026, the agreement enters into force for Brazil in the external legal sphere on August 1, 2026, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 13,081 of July 27, 2026, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[6]

The Interim Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur was signed in Asunción on January 17, 2026, approved by the National Congress through Legislative Decree No. 14 of March 17, 2026; Brazil deposited the instrument of ratification on March 18, 2026, the agreement is applied by Brazil from May 1, 2026, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 12,953 of April 28, 2026, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[7]

The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the EFTA States, signed in Rio de Janeiro on September 16, 2025, was approved by Legislative Decree No. 146 of June 22, 2026; Brazil deposited the instrument of ratification with Norway on July 8, 2026, the agreement enters into force for Brazil in the external legal sphere on October 1, 2026, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 13,126 of September 23, 2026, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[8]

Origin and precursors

Origin milestone: milestone not yet determined, First term (2003 to 2006).

The Preferential Trade Agreement between Mercosur and India was concluded in New Delhi on January 25, 2004 (annexes signed on March 19, 2005), approved by the National Congress through Legislative Decree No. 221 of September 3, 2008, entered into force in the external legal sphere on June 1, 2009, and was promulgated by Decree No. 6,864 of May 29, 2009, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[1]

Precursor investigation: inconclusive (October 14, 2026).

Scope: Promulgation decrees of the agreements with India (6,864/2009), Israel (7,159/2010), SACU (8,703/2016), Egypt (9,229/2017), Palestine (12,432/2025), Singapore (13,081/2026), the European Union (12,953/2026, Interim Trade Agreement), and EFTA (13,126/2026) at the Planalto; joint government notes (MRE, MDIC, and MAPA) in Internet Archive copies; Government Review 2003 to 2010. Not researched: earlier Mercosur agreements (Chile, Bolivia), agreements with the Andean Community and Peru (ACE 58 and 59), the 2004 Mercosur-Egypt Framework Agreement in its own source, and the 2019 announcement on the agreement with the European Union. The origin milestone of the set was not determined: the oldest agreement of the set is entered (India, concluded in 2004).

Responsibilities

  • National Congress (approval of each agreement by legislative decree) legislative approval

    The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Israel was signed in Montevideo on December 18, 2007, approved by Legislative Decree No. 936 of December 17, 2009, has been in force for Brazil in the external legal sphere since April 3, 2010, and was promulgated by Decree No. 7,159 of April 27, 2010, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[2]

  • Presidency of the Republic and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (signature, ratification, and promulgation by decree) design

    The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Singapore was signed by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on December 7, 2023, approved by Legislative Decree No. 147 of June 22, 2026; Brazil deposited the instrument of ratification with Paraguay on June 30, 2026, the agreement enters into force for Brazil in the external legal sphere on August 1, 2026, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 13,081 of July 27, 2026, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[6]

  • Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (participation in the negotiation of the agreements with India, SACU, Israel, and Egypt, according to the Government Review 2003 to 2010) partnership

    According to the 2003 to 2010 Government Review (chapter Business Agriculture), the Ministry of Agriculture took part in the negotiation of Mercosur trade agreements with the Andean Community, Peru, India, SACU, Israel, and Egypt; the same review highlights Brazil's victorious panels at the WTO against the United States (cotton subsidies) and against the European Union (sugar subsidies and tariff modifications on salted chicken).[9]

  • Other Mercosur States and partners (signature, ratification, and notifications that define entry into force) partnership

    According to joint notes from the MRE/MDIC/MAPA, the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement was signed in Asunción on January 17, 2026; Brazil notified the European Commission on March 18, 2026, the European Union notified Brazil on March 24, 2026, and the Interim Trade Agreement would enter into force on May 1, 2026.[10]

Timeline

Timeline of Mercosur trade agreements with partners outside the region (India, Israel, SACU, Egypt, Palestine, Singapore, European Union, and EFTA)
DatePhaseWhat happened
January 2004ImplementationConclusion of the Mercosur-India Preferential Trade Agreement, in New Delhi.[1]
December 2007ImplementationSigning of the Mercosur-Israel Free Trade Agreement, in Montevideo.[2]
December 2008ImplementationThe Mercosur countries sign the Preferential Trade Agreement with SACU in Salvador.[3]
May 2009Legal actDecree 6,864/2009 promulgates the agreement with India, which enters into force externally on June 1, 2009.[1]
April 2010Legal actDecree 7,159/2010 promulgates the agreement with Israel, in force for Brazil since April 3, 2010.[2]
August 2010ImplementationSigning of the Mercosur-Egypt Free Trade Agreement, in San Juan.[4]
April 2016Legal actDecree 8,703/2016, signed by Dilma Rousseff, promulgates the agreement with SACU.[3]
December 2017Legal actDecree 9,229/2017, signed by Michel Temer, promulgates the agreement with Egypt.[4]
December 2023ImplementationBrazil signs the Mercosur-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, in Rio de Janeiro.[6]
April 2025Legal actDecree 12,432/2025 promulgates the agreement with Palestine, signed in 2011 and in force for Brazil since August 9, 2024.[5]
September 2025ImplementationSigning of the Mercosur-EFTA Free Trade Agreement, in Rio de Janeiro.[8]
January 2026ImplementationSigning of the European Union-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement, in Asunción.[7]
April 2026Legal actDecree 12,953/2026 promulgates the Interim Trade Agreement with the European Union, applied by Brazil from May 1, 2026.[7]
July 2026Legal actDecree 13,081/2026 promulgates the agreement with Singapore, which enters into force for Brazil on August 1, 2026.[6]
September 2026Legal actDecree 13,126/2026 promulgates the agreement with the EFTA, which enters into force for Brazil on October 1, 2026.[8]

Implementation

In a joint note of December 2024, the government reported that the presidents of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay and of the European Commission announced the final conclusion of the negotiations of the Partnership Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, a process begun in 2023, when Mercosur, under Brazilian coordination, and the European Union resumed the bi-regional talks, with seven rounds of in-person negotiations between the two blocs.[11]

According to joint government notes, the negotiations of the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the EFTA (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), launched in 2017, were concluded on July 2, 2025, and the agreement was signed in Rio de Janeiro on September 16, 2025.[12]

Context

According to a joint government note of July 2, 2025, the trade understandings concluded by Mercosur increase by 2.5 times the Brazilian trade flow covered by free trade agreements, from US$73.1 billion to US$184.5 billion; a note of September 16, 2025 speaks of a 152% increase in the Brazilian trade flow benefiting from trade preferences, referring to three agreements concluded since 2023.[13]

Sources and evidence

Excerpts are quoted in the original language of the source.

  1. 1. The Preferential Trade Agreement between Mercosur and India was concluded in New Delhi on January 25, 2004 (annexes signed on March 19, 2005), approved by the National Congress through Legislative Decree No. 221 of September 3, 2008, entered into force in the external legal sphere on June 1, 2009, and was promulgated by Decree No. 6,864 of May 29, 2009, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

  2. 2. The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Israel was signed in Montevideo on December 18, 2007, approved by Legislative Decree No. 936 of December 17, 2009, has been in force for Brazil in the external legal sphere since April 3, 2010, and was promulgated by Decree No. 7,159 of April 27, 2010, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

  3. 3. The Preferential Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) was signed by the Mercosur countries in Salvador on December 15, 2008 and by the African countries in Maseru on April 3, 2009; the Congress approved it through Legislative Decree No. 200 of September 18, 2015, the agreement entered into force for Brazil on April 1, 2016, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 8,703 of April 1, 2016, signed by Dilma Rousseff.

  4. 4. The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Egypt was signed in San Juan on August 2, 2010; the Congress approved it through Legislative Decree No. 216 of October 9, 2015, the agreement entered into force for Mercosur in the external legal sphere on September 1, 2017, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 9,229 of December 6, 2017, signed by Michel Temer. The preamble mentions the Mercosur-Egypt Framework Agreement of July 7, 2004.

  5. 5. The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the State of Palestine was signed in Montevideo on December 20, 2011, approved by Legislative Decree No. 150 of September 10, 2018, entered into force for Brazil in the external legal sphere on August 9, 2024, and was promulgated by Decree No. 12,432 of April 11, 2025, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

  6. 6. The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and Singapore was signed by Brazil in Rio de Janeiro on December 7, 2023, approved by Legislative Decree No. 147 of June 22, 2026; Brazil deposited the instrument of ratification with Paraguay on June 30, 2026, the agreement enters into force for Brazil in the external legal sphere on August 1, 2026, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 13,081 of July 27, 2026, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

  7. 7. The Interim Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur was signed in Asunción on January 17, 2026, approved by the National Congress through Legislative Decree No. 14 of March 17, 2026; Brazil deposited the instrument of ratification on March 18, 2026, the agreement is applied by Brazil from May 1, 2026, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 12,953 of April 28, 2026, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

  8. 8. The Free Trade Agreement between Mercosur and the EFTA States, signed in Rio de Janeiro on September 16, 2025, was approved by Legislative Decree No. 146 of June 22, 2026; Brazil deposited the instrument of ratification with Norway on July 8, 2026, the agreement enters into force for Brazil in the external legal sphere on October 1, 2026, and it was promulgated by Decree No. 13,126 of September 23, 2026, signed by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

  9. 9. According to the 2003 to 2010 Government Review (chapter Business Agriculture), the Ministry of Agriculture took part in the negotiation of Mercosur trade agreements with the Andean Community, Peru, India, SACU, Israel, and Egypt; the same review highlights Brazil's victorious panels at the WTO against the United States (cotton subsidies) and against the European Union (sugar subsidies and tariff modifications on salted chicken).

  10. 10. According to joint notes from the MRE/MDIC/MAPA, the Mercosur-European Union Partnership Agreement was signed in Asunción on January 17, 2026; Brazil notified the European Commission on March 18, 2026, the European Union notified Brazil on March 24, 2026, and the Interim Trade Agreement would enter into force on May 1, 2026.

    • Assinatura do Acordo de Parceria MERCOSUL-União Europeia, nota conjunta MRE/MDIC/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured January 17, 2026); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraph 1. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “A assinatura do Acordo de Parceria MERCOSUL-União Europeia, realizada hoje (17/1) em Assunção, representa marco histórico para as relações entre os dois blocos.”
    • Entrada em vigor do Acordo Provisório de Comércio MERCOSUL–União Europeia, nota conjunta MRE/MDIC/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured March 24, 2026); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraphs 1 and 2. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “O Governo brasileiro informa que o Acordo Provisório de Comércio entre o MERCOSUL e a União Europeia entrará em vigor em 1º de maio de 2026.”
    • Entrada em vigor do Acordo Provisório de Comércio MERCOSUL–União Europeia, nota conjunta MRE/MDIC/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured March 24, 2026); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraph 2. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “Após a publicação do Decreto Legislativo nº 14, em 17 de março de 2026, o Brasil notificou oficialmente a Comissão Europeia em 18 de março de 2026 acerca da conclusão dos procedimentos internos de ratificação do Acordo. A União Europeia notificou o Brasil em 24 de março de 2026, cumprindo-se, assim, os requisitos para a vigência provisória do Acordo, conforme previsto em seu texto.”

  11. 11. In a joint note of December 2024, the government reported that the presidents of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay and of the European Commission announced the final conclusion of the negotiations of the Partnership Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, a process begun in 2023, when Mercosur, under Brazilian coordination, and the European Union resumed the bi-regional talks, with seven rounds of in-person negotiations between the two blocs.

    • Anúncio da conclusão das negociações do Acordo de Parceria entre o MERCOSUL e a União Europeia, nota conjunta (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), reproduction of a joint note from the Federal Government Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured April 8, 2025); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), reproduction of a joint note from the Federal Government.
      Where: paragraph 1. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “Em 6 de dezembro, os Presidentes de Brasil, Argentina, Paraguai e Uruguai e da Comissão Europeia anunciaram a conclusão definitiva das negociações do Acordo de Parceria entre o MERCOSUL e a União Europeia.”
    • Anúncio da conclusão das negociações do Acordo de Parceria entre o MERCOSUL e a União Europeia, nota conjunta (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), reproduction of a joint note from the Federal Government Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured April 8, 2025); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), reproduction of a joint note from the Federal Government.
      Where: paragraph 3. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “O anúncio da conclusão das negociações culmina do processo iniciado em 2023, quando o MERCOSUL, sob a coordenação brasileira, e a União Europeia retomaram as tratativas birregionais. Nesses dois anos, foram realizadas, ao total, sete rodadas de negociações presenciais entre os dois blocos, todas em Brasí lia.”

  12. 12. According to joint government notes, the negotiations of the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the EFTA (Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), launched in 2017, were concluded on July 2, 2025, and the agreement was signed in Rio de Janeiro on September 16, 2025.

    • Conclusão das negociações do acordo de livre comércio entre o MERCOSUL e a EFTA, nota conjunta MRE/MDIC/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured July 2, 2025); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraph 1. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “MERCOSUL anunciou a conclusão definitiva das negociações do acordo de livre comércio com a Associação Europeia de Livre Comércio (EFTA), bloco integrado por Noruega, Suíça, Islândia e Liechtenstein.”
    • Conclusão das negociações do acordo de livre comércio entre o MERCOSUL e a EFTA, nota conjunta MRE/MDIC/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured July 2, 2025); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraph 6. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “As negociações com a EFTA foram lançadas em 2017 e, desde 2024, o Brasil procurou tornar o texto mais adequado ao interesse do governo brasileiro de garantir espaço para políticas públicas em áreas como acesso à saúde e desenvolvimento científico e tecnológico, assim como atração de investimentos sustentáveis.”
    • Assinatura do Acordo de Livre Comércio entre o MERCOSUL e a EFTA, nota conjunta MDIC/MRE/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured September 16, 2025); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraph 1. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “A assinatura do Acordo de Livre Comércio entre o MERCOSUL e a Associação Europeia de Livre Comércio (EFTA), realizada hoje (16) no Rio de Janeiro, marca um passo importante na expansão da rede de acordos comerciais do Brasil.”

  13. 13. According to a joint government note of July 2, 2025, the trade understandings concluded by Mercosur increase by 2.5 times the Brazilian trade flow covered by free trade agreements, from US$73.1 billion to US$184.5 billion; a note of September 16, 2025 speaks of a 152% increase in the Brazilian trade flow benefiting from trade preferences, referring to three agreements concluded since 2023.

    • Conclusão das negociações do acordo de livre comércio entre o MERCOSUL e a EFTA, nota conjunta MRE/MDIC/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured July 2, 2025); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraph 8. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “Esses entendimentos aumentam em 2,5 vezes a corrente de comércio brasileira coberta por acordos de livre comércio, passando de US$ 73,1 bilhões para US$ 184,5 bilhões.”
    • Assinatura do Acordo de Livre Comércio entre o MERCOSUL e a EFTA, nota conjunta MDIC/MRE/MAPA (cópia arquivada pelo Internet Archive) · Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Government communication
      Read from an archived copy (Internet Archive (Wayback Machine), captured September 16, 2025); original address: www.gov.br. The archive preserves the copy; the author is Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
      Where: paragraph 2. Accessed October 14, 2026.
      “Em conjunto, esses três acordos concluídos desde 2023 representam um aumento de 152% da corrente de comércio brasileira beneficiada por preferências comerciais.”

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