Canada, Brazil to resume Canada-Mercosur FTA talks in October

The bloc also includes Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, while the process of Bolivia turning a full-time member is under way.

"We have directed our senior trade officials to engage in discussions, including a meeting of chief negotiators in early October, in order to resume free trade agreement negotiations," Brazil and Canada said in a joint statement.

Canada’s renewed interest in restarting talks with Mercosur is due to the uncertainty caused by tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Talks between Canada and Mercosur have been stalled since 2021.

"At a time when rules-based trading is being threatened, we need to stand with like-minded partners, as Brazil is, to really build on that structure, to make sure that structure exists, to promote more trade," Canadian trade minister Maninder Sidhu was quoted as saying by global newswires.

"Brazil and Canada have been affected by measures that distort the legitimate flow of goods and investments, adopted without technical justification," Brazilian foreign minister Mauro Vieira said.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (DS)