Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva promulgated the Mercosur-EU agreement this Tuesday, describing the long-negotiated trade deal as being forged “with iron, sweat, and blood.” The agreement, which took over 25 years to negotiate, is set to enter into force provisionally this Friday.
During the ceremony at the Planalto Palace, Lula criticized the long delay in finalizing the deal. He remarked that agreements originating from “colonizers” tend to move faster, while deals where the “colonized” demand equal rights face significant resistance.
Lula asserted that the deal serves as a firm response to the unilateral tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. He emphasized that instead of complaining about the situation, Brazil has actively sought new partnerships, highlighting the nation’s strength as a major global player.
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The President declared that Brazil is no longer a “small republic” and will negotiate on equal terms with any nation. The official promulgation follows the approval of the agreement by the Brazilian National Congress this past March.
During a recent visit to Lisbon on April 21, Lula noted that Portugal could serve as a strategic gateway for Brazilian business interests in Europe. He suggested that the partnership should expand beyond traditional trade to include productive ventures in Portuguese territory.
