After more than 25 years of arduous negotiations and several moments on the brink of collapse, the trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) has finally been signed, laying the foundation for one of the world’s largest free trade areas.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil held a year-end friendship gathering in Brasilia on December 19 to review its diplomatic activities in 2025 and mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Guyana (1975–2025).

The Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and Viet Nam have launched negotiations for a preferential trade agreement, Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira announced at the bloc's 67th summit in Foz de Iguazu on December 20.

Argentina is currently Viet Nam’s third-largest trading partner in Latin America, while Viet Nam ranks as Argentina’s sixth-largest partner worldwide. In 2024, bilateral trade reached 4.1 billion USD, up 19% year-on-year, with a highly complementary trade structure.

The European Union (EU) has unveiled detailed measures to protect farmers across the bloc, aiming to ease concerns over its trade agreement with the four South American nations of the MERCOSUR group.

Brazil is committed to supporting and coordinating with other Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) member countries to promote the internal process towards beginning official negotiations on the bloc’s free trade agreement (FTA) with Viet Nam during Brazil's term as its rotating chair in the second half of 2025.

The Mercosur Summit has just concluded in Argentina, with member states reaffirming their commitment to enhancing the bloc’s competitiveness and accelerating its integration into the global economy.