Overview
- Speaking at the Wirtschaftstag of the ambassador conference in Berlin, Wadephul urged completion of both accords within the calendar year.
- He argued the deals would signal EU ability to act geopolitically and counter the tariff-focused trade policy pursued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
- The Mercosur agreement has entered its final voting procedure, covering Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay in a market of over 700 million people that the EU says would be the largest of its kind.
- EU and Indian authorities are targeting a conclusion of their free-trade negotiations this year, according to the latest reporting.
- BDI president Peter Leibinger backed the push, casting the debate as one of autonomy versus sovereignty and pointing to broad partnerships as a path to resilience.