Lula defends the EU-Mercosur agreement and rules out harm to European agriculture

The Brazilian president uses his visit to Lisbon to urge implementation of the treaty, dismissing European primary sector fears of potential unfair competition.

NeXusAvicultura Editorial, 21 April — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has responded to the criticism still surrounding the free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, using his official visit to Europe during this third term in office. In a firm defence of the deal, the president categorically ruled out that the entry into force of the treaty would cause any harm to European agriculture — one of the main focal points of resistance to its final ratification.

Lula defends the EU-Mercosur agreement and rules out harm to European agriculture

During his visit to Portugal on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed his commitment to multilateralism by vigorously defending the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur. In a joint statement alongside Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in Lisbon, Lula highlighted the strategic importance of the deal and sent a clear and reassuring message to Europe’s agricultural producers.

The Brazilian president categorically dismissed any potential harm to agricultural production across the European continent. Addressing the concerns of rural sectors, he emphasised that “there are no agricultural industries competing negatively between the two blocs,” but rather a “deep complementarity.” “It is always foolish to think that one will end up destroying the other’s agriculture,” Lula declared, adding that successful international trade requires that the customer survives and thrives, rather than being stifled.

The Brazilian leader also took the opportunity to underscore the economic scale of the agreement, which encompasses a market of 750 million people and represents a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 22 trillion dollars.

In this regard, he described as a “grave mistake” the legal actions brought by the European Parliament in an attempt to block implementation of the agreement, recalling the enormous opportunities it offers for both Latin America and the European Union.

Beyond the trade agenda, the official visit strengthened bilateral relations with Portugal. Lula was emphatic in stating that Portugal should no longer be seen solely as a gateway for Brazilian interests into Europe, but as the foundation for building a robust and reciprocal partnership between two nations that have known each other since the year 1500. Finally, the president celebrated what he described as the “finest moment” in the history of relations between Brazil and Portugal.

Further reading:

-. EU-MERCOSUR Agreement
-. EU-MERCOSUR Agreement impact on Poultry. Report by AVEC-COGAG. 20250624
-. The “safeguard clause“: false protection, mere window dressing

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