European Union and Mercosur bloc of South American nations sign landmark free trade agreement

European Union and Mercosur bloc of South American nations sign landmark free trade agreement 1 of 6 | The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday, capping more than a quarter-century of torturous negotiations to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world. 2 of 6 | Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino, from left, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Uruguay’s President Yamandu Orsi and Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, pose for a group photo during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) 3 of 6 | Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, left front, and Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira greet each other during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) 4 of 6 | Meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) 5 of 6 | Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz speaks during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) 6 of 6 | Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, left, greets Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur, in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) 1 of 6 The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday, capping more than a quarter-century of torturous negotiations to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 2 of 6 Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino, from left, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena, Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Uruguay’s President Yamandu Orsi and Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira, pose for a group photo during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 3 of 6 Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, left front, and Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mauro Vieira greet each other during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 4 of 6 Meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 5 of 6 Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz speaks during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. 6 of 6 Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, left, greets Paraguay’s President Santiago Pena during a meeting to sign a free trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur, in Asuncion, Paraguay, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] Batschke writes about Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay for The Associated Press, based in Santiago. Before moving to South America in 2024, she covered Southeast Asia reporting from Bangkok; Latin America from Sao Paulo, and European affairs reporting from Madrid. DeBre writes about Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay for The Associated Press, based in Buenos Aires. Before moving to South America in 2024, she covered the Middle East reporting from Jerusalem, Cairo and Dubai.