The MERCOSUR and Japan formally launched negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement, initiating a commercial and strategic process between South America and one of Asia's leading economies.

A process of commercial and strategic scope

The announcement was made during the LXVIII Summit of Heads of State and Government of MERCOSUR, held in Asunción. The member countries supported advancing toward an understanding that expands market access for agricultural and industrial products and encourages mutual cooperation and investment.

The initiative also seeks to integrate value chains, diversify economic ties and strengthen the commercial and human relationship between the South American countries and Japan.

A relationship with global scale

According to information published by Infobae with data from EFE, the objective is to establish a free trade area covering approximately 400 million people and a combined gross domestic product of 7 trillion dollars. Trade between Japan and MERCOSUR reached USD 13.7 billion in 2025.

The talks must take into account the particularities of each economy to achieve a balanced and mutually beneficial outcome.