THE EU-MERCOSUR AGREEMENT: A FIRST STEP TOWARD A STRATEGIC ALLIANCE BETWEEN LATIN AMERICA AND EUROPE.
This article analyzes the EU-Mercosur Agreement within the broader context of the profound transformations of the world order following the political shift of the second Trump administration. It argues that the fragmentation of the Western world, especially in transatlantic relations, has created a strategic opportunity for closer ties between Europe and Latin America. Amid growing protectionism in the United States and mounting challenges to multilateralism, the European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to free trade and rules-based governance. The study adopts a qualitative and geopolitical approach to examine the political, economic, and strategic implications of the Agreement. It shows that the EU-Mercosur framework transcends a conventional trade agreement and represents a fundamental step toward building a broader interregional strategic alliance. This emerging alliance is based on shared values, including respect for international law, human rights, climate commitments, and multilateral cooperation. The paper highlights the Agreement’s potential to integrate a transatlantic space of up to 1.5 billion people, strengthening cooperation between Europe and Latin America in trade, migration, and global governance. Ultimately, it concludes that the EU-Mercosur Agreement constitutes both a response to evolving global dynamics and a catalyst for redefining the role of both regions in shaping a renewed multilateral order.
