For eight years, leaders from the European Union and from major Latin American and Caribbean nations rarely met face to face at a bilateral summit. That pattern is set to change with the upcoming European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean summit in July in Brussels. The EU views this gathering as a milestone that could reset ties and push a new strategic agenda aimed at deeper political cohesion, stronger trade, and greater investment between the two blocs.
European diplomat Josep Borrell acknowledged that Europe has absorbed pressure from pressing issues such as immigration and a lengthy enlargement process that shifted the global center of gravity eastward. He noted that relations with Latin America have not been given the political attention they deserve and that the geopolitical moment now makes the EU-Latin America partnership a strategic imperative. The two blocs together account for roughly 14 percent of the world’s population and about 21 percent of global GDP.
Recent months have shown Brussels’ commitment to the region through a surge of initiatives and diplomatic outreach. Borrell carried out five regional visits last year, and the next high‑level trip will see European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visit Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico to advance the new agenda. The EU emphasises that it and its partners share democratic values, human rights, and a clear interest in a rules‑based international order. They aim to strengthen political cooperation, address climate change, and promote an inclusive digital transformation that revolves around people and their needs.
At the core of the plan is a renewed political partnership across multiple layers: between the EU and Latin America, bilaterally with each country, within subregions, and in multilateral settings. The ambition is to intensify dialogue through more frequent summits and to establish a permanent coordination mechanism that keeps regular contact and collaboration flowing. Specific emphasis is placed on creating political dialogue channels with the EU, Brazil, and Mexico that are considered strategic and with several other nations that presently lack such forums. Borrell, accompanied by the vice president and trade commissioner Valdis Dombilskis, stressed that the goal is to move from traditional partnerships to being partners of choice.
More trade deals
A major pillar of the new agenda is to accelerate trade negotiations with the Latin American bloc. In recent years, bilateral trade in goods rose substantially, and by 2022 the value reached around 369 billion euros. The EU has positioned itself as the region’s leading investor, with foreign direct investment totaling about 693 billion euros and supporting millions of jobs across both regions. The message from EU officials is clear: stronger commercial ties and investment create opportunities for both sides, and cooperation can drive even more growth if pursued together.
The EU intends to push ahead with trade deals by finalising ongoing negotiations with Chile and Mexico and by aligning with Mercosur on a broader pact. The war in Ukraine highlighted the need for reliable partners, underscoring the importance of Latin American and Caribbean countries in EU strategic thinking. EU trade with Mexico and Mercosur already represented a substantial share of the region’s trade, underscoring the potential impact of a broader agreement.
If a Mercosur accord progresses, Brussels hopes July’s summit will provide political momentum toward a formal conclusion. Officials have cautioned against reopening previously negotiated points, arguing that the balance already achieved is delicate and carefully designed. They emphasized that the deal should not be unsettled as negotiations have stretched over many years, and any changes could undermine a long‑built consensus.