Viet Nam, MERCOSUR to soon launch PTA negotiations
VGP - Viet Nam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) will officially launch negotiations on a preferential trade agreement (PTA) in the near future, announced Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
Viet Nam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) will officially launch negotiations for a preferential trade agreement (PTA) in the near future
Vieira made the announcement while addressing at the 67th MERCOSUR Summit held in Foz de Iguazu, Brazil, last week.
The diplomat reiterated that Viet Nam is an important economic partner of the bloc, adding that the future agreement marks an important milestone in promoting trade between MERCOSUR and Viet Nam, contributing to strengthening relations between the two sides.
This is a positive outcome achieved after considerable efforts by the parties to advance negotiations, with a focus on negotiating tariff reductions in order to deliver tangible benefits to all participating sides.
In September 2025, Viet Nam's Ministry of Industry and Trade and the negotiating delegations of MERCOSUR countries held meetings and engaged in positive exchanges to agree on the roadmap for implementing negotiations on the future agreement.
All relevant sides are currently finalizing the terms of reference as the basis for the first negotiation round, which is expected to take place in the early months of 2026.
The Joint Statement on the launch of negotiations for the Viet Nam– MERCOSUR PTA will be announced during Brazil's rotating presidency, reflecting the South American country's appreciation of the friendly relations between the two countries.
According to data from the Viet Nam Customs Department, as of the end of November 2025, total trade turnover between Viet Nam and the bloc reached US$11.46 billion, approximately equal to the same period in 2024. Of the figure, Viet Nam's exports to MERCOSUR amounted to US$3.59 billion (up 15.9 percent), while imports from the bloc reached US$7.87 billion (down 4.8 percent).
Once signed, the Viet Nam–MERCOSUR PTA is expected to enhance competitiveness and provide a strong boost to Vietnamese exports to MERCOSUR markets, in general, and the South American region, in particular./.
