Trade agreements reshape global commerce

International trade is undergoing a phase of reconfiguration, marked by increased instability, geopolitical tensions, and a review of global production and supply chains. This assessment comes from Maria Flávia Tavares, a doctor in agribusiness, as she analyzes the recent advancement of trade agreements that signal a bet on cooperation in a more fragmented global environment. In this context, the Partnership Agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, concluded in December 2024, and the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union, officially announced in January 2026, stand out. After years of intermittent negotiations, the two agreements indicate a significant shift in the dynamics of global trade, with major economies seeking predictability, diversification of partners, and risk reduction. The agreement between India and the European Union was formalized during the 16th India–EU Summit, held in January 2026, connecting the Indian economy to a bloc of 27 ...