Buenos Aires, December 14 (NA) – A week before the MERCOSUR Summit, scheduled for December 20 in Foz do Iguaçu, President Javier Milei intends to attend, but his participation will depend on next week's agenda. His team does not rule out the possibility and anticipates that, should he participate, he will insist on the need for the bloc to open up to free trade and break with internal rules that limit agreements with other countries. According to sources close to him, the head of state plans to attend the bloc's exchange, which is chaired by his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva, a relationship that is not the most smooth. Even official sources confirmed it is on his agenda but clarified that his confirmation is subject to the activities planned for the coming days. However, from his inner circle, they are defining the guidelines he might present at the regional bloc's debate forum, which begins on December 17. In the Casa Rosada (the Pink House), they insist that MERCOSUR "requires changes" that allow member countries to engage in trade freely. "His attendance is not yet defined, but if he goes, he will again insist on the benefits of free trade and will propose the need for member countries to open up commercially," stated an important source with access to the presidential office to this agency. This is not a new proposal. In June of this year, within the framework of the Leaders' Summit, the head of state proposed modifying the regulations that prevent negotiating free trade agreements without the approval of partner countries. "We proposed that, as a bloc, we move towards a much freer commercial and regulatory scheme, instead of the 'iron curtain' to which we are subject today, where each country can enjoy greater autonomy to take advantage of its comparative advantages and export potential," he stated on that occasion. Another point that has the libertarian's blessing is the possibility of finalizing the long-awaited agreement between MERCOSUR and the European Union, which has been in limbo for at least 20 years. Lula da Silva is betting on a similar outcome, attempting to position himself as the guarantor of unity between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia with the European Union. At the G20 Summit held at the end of November in Johannesburg, South Africa, which Milei did not attend, the Brazilian anticipated that the agreement would be signed on the 20th of this month in his country. While some countries like France are reluctant, in Europe they view the possibility of finalizing the long-protracted agreement with optimism. In Balcarce 50, they hope to advance the elimination of tariffs, the creation of a free trade zone, and the establishment of rules that ensure benefits for both blocs. IP Likewise, the approach of the leader of the Workers' Party (PT) to Donald Trump was well received by the libertarian administration, which is already planning a new visit by the president to the United States. An important source revealed that this new visit aims to resolve the friction generated after the head of state declined the invitation to participate in the World Cup 2026 draw, which took place on December 5 in Washington, something that did not sit well with the Republican government.
