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Mercosur and Canada resume free trade agreement negotiations after years of impasse

  What is happening between Mercosur and Canada? After more than a decade of stalled talks, the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) and Canada announced in September 2025 the formal resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement. The decision was confirmed at a meeting between representatives of the two blocs during the United Nations General Assembly in New York and represents a strategic step toward strengthening economic ties between South and North America. This move is not just symbolic: it could pave the way for one of the largest trade agreements in the South American region in recent years, with direct impacts on the economies of millions of people—from farmers to small business owners. Why does this agreement matter? A free trade agreement between Mercosur and Canada has the potential to eliminate or reduce tariffs on thousands of products, facilitate investment, increase business competitiveness, and generate new job opportunities. For ord...
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Brazil reacts: Council denounces US threat to Supreme Court as attack on national sovereignty

The National Human Rights Council (CNDH) has stated that possible sanctions by the United States against Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes represent a serious violation of national sovereignty. The statement followed recent statements in the US Congress, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Donald Trump's government is considering measures against Moraes.

According to the CNDH, these initiatives would be unacceptable, since they would constitute undue interference in Brazil's internal affairs. The entity argued that such an attitude compromises the principles governing diplomatic relations, especially since this involves an authority from Brazil's highest constitutional court. In a statement, the council emphasized that this political move has no precedent in the modern history of international relations between democracies.

Rubio's statements came in response to a question from Republican Senator Cory Lee Mills, who referred to alleged judicial persecution in Brazil against supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, within the context of the acts of January 8, 2023. The CNDH, however, understands that this narrative is an attempt at manipulation, with the aim of delegitimizing the accountability of those involved in the attempted coup.

For the council, this attempted interference by the US is, in fact, an effort by figures investigated by the STF to obtain international political protection and avoid legal sanctions in Brazil. The organization reinforced that the judicial process in the country is being conducted based on the Constitution and laws, in a transparent manner and in respect of the Democratic Rule of Law.

In addition, the CNDH requested that the US government immediately stop any study aimed at imposing measures against Alexandre de Moraes, defending mutual respect between nations and their institutions.

At the same time, the Supreme Court Justice authorized, at the request of the Attorney General's Office (PGR), the opening of an investigation into federal deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is on leave. The congressman is suspected of working with US authorities to pressure the US government to impose sanctions against Moraes, which could constitute crimes such as coercion during the proceedings and obstruction of the investigation.

Eduardo Bolsonaro, who has been in the United States since March, denies any wrongdoing and has called the investigation unfair. The Justice also requested the testimony of former President Jair Bolsonaro, pointing out possible direct favoritism due to his son's actions. Brazilian diplomats are also expected to be heard in the case.

The accusation of attempted coup d'état, made by the PGR, claims that there was a plan to annul the 2022 elections, with plans to assassinate authorities and military support for a possible State of Siege. Those involved deny participation in the plot.

 

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