January 9, 2026 - "Given the current economic crisis, Germany's economy needs to open up new markets and find long-term strategic partners. The agreement provides new sales prospects for industry, adjacent service providers, and trade. It also secures supply chains for energy provision and access to raw materials from the Mercosur countries. Once in effect, the region will gain significance as an investment location for German companies. The agreement sends an important signal to competitors from the USA and, in particular, China. Europe secures its place in global trade - not through protectionism, but by opening up markets."

According to EU Commission reports, the agreement could boost annual EU exports to Mercosur by up to 39 percent, creating 440,000 jobs throughout the EU. Overall, 12,500 German companies export to the region, with 72 percent small and medium-sized enterprises. German companies, supported by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry abroad, have been active in South America for more than 100 years. They have long awaited this breakthrough."