THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Japan holds back on Mercosur talks as global free trade withers Nikkei Asia | 21 March 2025 Japan holds back on Mercosur talks as global free trade withers by SHIGERU SENO TOKYO -- Ahead of a visit by the Brazilian president to Japan next week, and amid an intensifying trade war instigated by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Japanese government is grappling with how and whether to begin negotiations on joining a South American trade bloc. The Southern Common Market, or Mercosur, is a large economic zone with a population of about 300 million. Its five full members are Brazil and Argentina -- South America's largest and second-largest economic powers -- as well as Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. A possible economic partnership agreement between Japan and Mercosur has been called the "last mega-FTA" free trade agreement. The Japanese and South American business communities have lobbied heavily to make it a reality. A major milestone came when the European Union and Mercosur concluded FTA negotiations in December. The European Commission had been trying to finalize a deal since 2000 despite member state objections. It may have made an extra push at the end in an effort to establish a …

Japan-Mercosur EPA Talks Signal Free Trade Push with Brazil On May 26, it became clear that the Japanese government plans to enter into negotiations for a new trade agreement with a major South American bloc. Japan is preparing to begin talks with 南部共同市場（メルコスル） ( Nanbu Kyōdō Shijō (Merukosuru) ), a 関税同盟 ( kanzei dōmei , customs union) in South America. The goal is to form a 経済連携協定 ( keizai renkei kyōtei , Economic Partnership Agreement, or EPA). According to reports, the government will officially 交渉に入る ( kōshō ni hairu , enter into negotiations) with the group. Plans for an Announcement at the G7 One of Mercosur’s member countries, Brazil, is expected to be invited to the Group of Seven (G7) summit scheduled for June in France. The Japanese government is coordinating plans to announce the EPA negotiations during a 首脳会談 ( shunō kaidan , summit meeting) with Brazil’s leader at that event. The word 見通し ( mitōshi ) appears in the report, indicating a “prospect” or “outlook.” In this case, Brazil is expected to receive an invitation to the summit — but it is not yet finalized. Trade Cooperation Amid “America First” The timing is significant. The article notes that the Trump administra…

Japan, Mercosur to Begin Talks on Concluding EPA 【エビアン時事】 高市早苗 首相とブラジルのルラ大統領が１６日（日本時間同）会談し、日本と、南米５カ国の関税同盟「 南米南部共同市場 （メルコスル）」との経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）締結に向けた交渉開始が決まった。日本は自動車などの貿易拡大に加え、重要鉱物やエネルギーの調達多様化を通じた経済安全保障の強化も狙う。 会談は先進７カ国首脳会議（Ｇ７サミット）が開かれているフランス東部エビアンで行われた。 メルコスルは人口約３億人、域内総生産（ＧＤＰ）約３兆ドル（約４８０兆円）の巨大市場。ブラジルのほか、アルゼンチン、パラグアイ、ウルグアイ、ボリビアが加盟している。日本の輸出、輸入総額に占める割合はいずれも１％程度で、双方に取引拡大の余地が大きい。（2026/06/16-21:09） 英文版に切り替え Japan and Brazil agreed Tuesday to start negotiations on the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement for free trade between Japan and South American trade bloc Mercosur. The agreement was reached at a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Evian, eastern France, where a three-day summit of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations is taking place. Through the envisaged EPA, Japan aims to expand exports of automobiles and other products to Mercosur and strengthen economic security by diversifying its procurement sources for critical minerals and energy. The five Mercosur member countries--Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia--have a combined population of about 300 million, and their total gross d…

Japan, Mercosur to Begin Talks on Concluding EPA - nippon.com Japan, Mercosur to Begin Talks on Concluding EPA News from Japan Politics Jun 16, 2026 22:53 (JST) English 日本語 简体字 繁體字 Français Español العربية Русский Evian, France, June 16 (Jiji Press)--Japan and Brazil agreed Tuesday to start negotiations on the conclusion of an economic partnership agreement for free trade between Japan and South American trade bloc Mercosur. The agreement was reached at a meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Evian, eastern France, where a three-day summit of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations is taking place. Through the envisaged EPA, Japan aims to expand exports of automobiles and other products to Mercosur and strengthen economic security by diversifying its procurement sources for critical minerals and energy. The five Mercosur member countries--Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia--have a combined population of about 300 million, and their total gross domestic product reaches some 3 trillion dollars. Imports from Mercosur and exports to the region account for only about 1 pct of Japan’s overall imp…

[1/2] 2026-07-01 15:56:32 - [South American Customs Union announces plans to launch EPA negotiations with Japan] The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), a customs union joined by Brazil and other South American countries, held a summit in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, on June 30

Japan, Brazil announce start of Japan-Mercosur economic partnership talks EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (Kyodo) -- Japan and Brazil said Tuesday that Japan will begin negotiations on an economic partnership agreement with Mercosur

bilaterals.org | Japan, Brazil announce start of Japan-Mercosur ... All the versions of this article: English Français Japan Today | 17 June 2026 Japan, Brazil announce start of Japan-Mercosur economic partnership talks by Kyodo Japan and Brazil said Tuesday that Japan will begin negotiations on an economic partnership agreement with Mercosur, the South American trading bloc, by the end of this month as Tokyo seeks to strengthen ties with the resource-rich region and promote trade. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed the launch of the negotiations during a meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France, on the sidelines of the three-day Group of Seven summit through Wednesday. Through the pact with the bloc, which also includes Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, Japan hopes to expand market access for automobiles and other products while diversifying supplies of critical minerals amid China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports. In her opening remarks, Takaichi described Brazil as "a strategic global partner that shares values and principles with Japan," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato told reporters. "Mercosu…

Japan, Brazil announce start of Japan-Mercosur economic partnership ... This family photo during a gala dinner as part of the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, on June 16, 2026. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP) EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (Kyodo) -- Japan and Brazil said Tuesday that Japan will begin negotiations on an economic partnership agreement with Mercosur, the South American trading bloc, by the end of this month as Tokyo seeks to strengthen ties with the resource-rich region and promote trade. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed the launch of the negotiations during a meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France, on the sidelines of the three-day Group of Seven summit through Wednesday. Through the pact with the bloc, which also includes Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, Japan hopes to expand market access for automobiles and other products while diversifying supplies of critical minerals amid China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports. In her opening remarks, Takaichi described Brazil as "a strategic global partner that shares values and principles with Japan," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato t…

[1/2] 2026-07-01 15:56:32 - [South American Customs Union announces plans to launch EPA negotiations with Japan] The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), a customs union joined by Brazil and other South American countries, held a summit in Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, on June 30

Japan, Brazil announce start of Japan-Mercosur economic partnership ... politics Japan, Brazil announce start of Japan-Mercosur economic partnership talks Today 06:00 am JST Today | 06:43 am JST 2 Comments EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France Japan and Brazil said Tuesday that Japan will begin negotiations on an economic partnership agreement with Mercosur, the South American trading bloc, by the end of this month as Tokyo seeks to strengthen ties with the resource-rich region and promote trade. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva confirmed the launch of the negotiations during a meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France, on the sidelines of the three-day Group of Seven summit through Wednesday. Through the pact with the bloc, which also includes Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, Japan hopes to expand market access for automobiles and other products while diversifying supplies of critical minerals amid China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports. In her opening remarks, Takaichi described Brazil as "a strategic global partner that shares values and principles with Japan," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato told reporters. "Mercos…