Paraguayan President Santiago Peña criticized the "asymmetries" in the trade agreement between Mercosur and the European Union during the 68th Summit of the bloc held in Luque. Peña stated that the implementation of the agreement, signed in January after 25 years of negotiations, left a "bitter taste" in Paraguay due to the unequal distribution of export quotas to the European market.
"The playing field is not level for everyone equally. We do not have the same market, nor the same industries, nor the same logistics," declared Peña at the opening of the meeting, which brought together leaders from Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador. Argentine President Javier Milei canceled his participation due to the political crisis in his country.
Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano had already warned about the issue during previous ministerial meetings. He argued that the quotas assigned to Paraguay do not reflect its productive potential nor the commitments made during negotiations. "Paraguay does not ask for privileges, but for equity," stated Ramírez.
Peña highlighted the additional challenges faced by Paraguay as a landlocked country: "Every container that leaves Paraguay carries hundreds of kilometers and an additional cost that others do not pay." The president questioned, "Do we want a Mercosur where the strong step on the weak?"
Despite the criticism, Peña acknowledged Mercosur as "the continent's greatest tool for integration" and celebrated the transfer of the pro tempore presidency to Uruguay. The agreement with the EU, currently in provisional application, will create an integrated market of 700 million people and eliminate over 90% of tariffs between the blocs.
The leaders also approved the start of negotiations with Japan and observed a minute of silence for the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela, at the request of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.