Overview
- The commercial chapter of the EU–Mercosur agreement has been provisionally applied since May 1, 2026, and Argentine firms have already used new zero-tariff quotas to export goods such as 22 tonnes of honey to the EU.
- Spanish and EU diplomats told a July forum that Argentina will have to accept legal and commercial changes and stricter sanitary, labor and environmental rules to capture the deal's benefits.
- Multilateral agencies and forum speakers say mining, energy and agro-industry are the main likely winners because of demand for lithium, copper and food, while manufacturing, dairy and wine face heightened competition from EU producers.
- EU investors at the forum emphasized they prefer local partnerships, technology transfer and predictable tariffs as the basis for long-term projects, and Argentina is promoting investment regimes such as RIGI and RIMI to attract capital.
- CEPAL and OECD warned the agreement risks deepening a shift toward raw-material exports unless Argentina boosts supplier development, raises productivity and pursues industrial reconversion that can protect jobs and add local value.