Parlasul Approves Relator’s Report, Advancing Mercosul–EFTA Trade Treaty

Overview

• Parlasul’s Brazilian delegation approved Senator Nelsinho Trad’s favorable report on the Mercosul–EFTA free trade agreement on Tuesday, June 9, moving the text into Brazil’s national legislative process.
• The relator’s report says more than 97% of bilateral exports would receive preferential market access through tariff cuts or elimination and clearer regulatory rules for companies and investors.
• The approved text explicitly preserves Brazil’s regulatory autonomy and includes safeguards for the public health system (SUS), support for micro and small enterprises, technological procurement and industrial policy tools.
• Following Parlasul’s endorsement, the treaty will be examined by Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies and then by the Federal Senate before any final ratification takes place.
• Supporters frame the move as a strategic step to diversify markets by deepening ties with EFTA countries — Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein — and to widen opportunities for Brazilian exporters into high‑income European markets.