Brasília – Mercosur and the United Kingdom are in negotiations for a free trade agreement that could be implemented after the country leaves the European Union, said this Monday (22) the Finance minister, Henrique Meirelles. The minister talked about the issue at the residence of Brazilian ambassador in London, after a meeting with the UK’s Finance minister, Philip Hammond.
“[The agreement] could be go into effect after Brexit [the process in which the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union], but negotiations are ongoing,” said Meirelles in a press conference.
Negotiations of a free trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union (EU) have been going on for years. At the end of last year, both parties made progress in the discussions, but the signing of the agreement was postponed to this year. Due to Brexit, Mercosur will have to negotiate an agreement with the United Kingdom alone.
*Translated by Sérgio Kakitani
