José Rijo says Mercosur may benefit more in the initial phase of the agreement

José Rijo was interviewed by Jornal Económico about the effects of the EU–Mercosur Agreement and the balance of trade benefits between the two blocs.

In his analysis, the Co-Coordinator of Abreu Advogados’ Customs and International Trade Law Practice Area anticipates that Mercosur is likely to benefit more than the European Union during the initial phase of the agreement’s implementation. As he explains, the “tariff reduction schedules are more favourable to Mercosur than to the EU”, creating conditions for South American countries to secure more immediate gains.

This difference may be linked to the “need for the agreement to be concluded quickly”, following a complex negotiation process that lasted around 25 years.

The analysis therefore highlights the importance of the schedules for reducing customs tariffs: although the agreement seeks to create opportunities for both regions, its effects will not necessarily be simultaneous or equivalent. For companies operating internationally, understanding the different paces at which markets are opened up will be key to anticipating risks, identifying opportunities and adapting commercial strategies.

Read the article here.