EU-Mercosur 2026 Deal: A Massive Win for Made in Italy

Antonio Tajani, the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, speaking on the phone in his office, flanked by the Italian and European Union flags

ROME - In a landmark move for global trade, EU ambassadors have officially greenlit the EU-Mercosur agreement. This historic pact is set to revolutionise Italian exports, opening a market of 800 million people while providing unprecedented protection for Italy's most prestigious food and wine heritage.

EU-Mercosur 2026 Agreement approved: free trade and protection for Italian supply chains and Geographical Indications

After more than twenty-five years of negotiations, European Union ambassadors gave the political green light – including a positive vote from Italy – to the signing of the EU-MERCOSUR Agreement on Friday, 9 January 2026. Mercosur is the Southern Common Market, established in 1991, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, while Venezuela's membership has been suspended since 2017. Italy supported the deal after requesting and obtaining reinforced guarantees and safeguard clauses to protect sensitive sectors within the agri-food industry. The EU-MERCOSUR pact is the largest free trade agreement ever negotiated by the European Union, creating a free trade area of approximately 800 million people.

Export Boom: Antonio Tajani Sets a €700 Billion Target

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, the free trade agreement between EU countries and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay represents a major opportunity for all Italian businesses. It is an agreement destined to grow exports, with the specific goal of reaching €700 billion in exports. The deal provides for the elimination or sharp reduction of customs duties on products and services representing over 90% of EU exports, including sectors with strong Italian commercial interests such as automotive, industrial machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

Slashing Tariffs: A €4 Billion Annual Saving for EU Exporters

The main points of the agreement concern the elimination of high MERCOSUR tariffs, which will allow EU exporters to save over €4 billion in duties per year, alongside simplified customs procedures and exclusive preferential access to critical raw materials and green products. Furthermore, the pact includes a ban on imitations for over 340 traditional EU food products recognised as Geographical Indications (GIs), 57 of which are Italian, marking the highest number of GIs ever protected in an EU agreement. All products from MERCOSUR countries imported into the EU must also comply with strict European standards. The agreement ensures the protection of the following 57 Italian Geographical Indications: Aceto Balsamico di Modena, Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena, Aprutino Pescarese, Asiago, Bresaola della Valtellina, Cantuccini Toscani / Cantucci Toscani, Culatello di Zibello, Fontina, Gorgonzola, Grana Padano, Mela Alto Adige / Südtiroler Apfel, Mortadella Bologna, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana, Pancetta Piacentina, Parmigiano Reggiano, Pasta di Gragnano, Pecorino Romano, Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino, Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto di San Daniele, Prosciutto Toscano, Provolone Valpadana, Salamini italiani alla cacciatora, Taleggio, Toscano, Zampone Modena.

Wine and Spirits: Full Protection for Italy's Finest

Among the wines and spirits protected are Asti, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Alba, Barbera d’Asti, Bardolino / Bardolino Superiore, Barolo, Brachetto d’Acqui / Acqui, Brunello di Montalcino, Campania, Chianti, Chianti Classico, Conegliano – Prosecco, Valdobbiadene – Prosecco, Dolcetto d’Alba, Emilia / dell’Emilia, Fiano di Avellino, Franciacorta, Greco di Tufo, Lambrusco di Sorbara, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Marca Trevigiana, Marsala, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Prosecco, Sicilia, Soave, Toscana / Toscano, Valpolicella, Veneto, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Grappa.

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