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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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US challenges Moraes' decisions and considers sanctions amid dispute over blocking digital platforms

 

The United States Department of Justice sent an official letter to Minister Alexandre de Moraes of the Brazilian Supreme Court (STF) in response to the decisions that led to the suspension of American digital platforms in Brazil, such as Rumble. The information was revealed by The New York Times, which claimed to have had exclusive access to the content of the document.


According to the newspaper, the American authorities expressed dissatisfaction with the measures imposed by Moraes, especially in relation to the order to block Rumble. Although they recognize that Brazil has autonomy to apply its own laws in the digital sphere, they argue that this does not extend to the imposition of court decisions on companies based outside the country, as is the case with companies from the United States.


The main criticism focused on the order to take Rumble offline, which occurred in February of this year. The decision was made after the platform refused to comply with several Brazilian court orders, including the deletion of journalist Allan dos Santos' profile, the blocking of financial transfers to him, and the requirement that the company present a legal representative in Brazil. Although the service was temporarily reinstated, it was eventually suspended again by court order.


The company claimed that it did not have active legal representation in Brazil, which would make it difficult to comply with the orders. In light of this, it filed a lawsuit in the US, arguing that the measures taken by Moraes violate freedom of expression and constitute censorship. In a recent decision, the US court ruled that Rumble is not required to comply with the Brazilian Supreme Court's determinations.


The sending of the letter by US authorities comes at a time of growing tension between the two countries, especially after statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During a hearing in Congress, Rubio stated that sanctions against Moraes are being seriously considered and that there is a high probability that they will be implemented.


 In addition, members of Congress aligned with former President Jair Bolsonaro and supporters of his political group have been pressuring the US government to apply the so-called Magnitsky Act to the case. This legislation allows for the punishment of individuals accused of involvement in abusive practices against human rights or corruption. If the decree is applied, Moraes could have his US visa suspended and his assets frozen in the United States, if he has any assets under US jurisdiction.

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