On the evening of August 27, 2025 (Hanoi time), Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira held a phone call to promote FTA Vietnam - MERCOSUR negotiations.
The phone call also aims to concretize the exchanges between the two countries' senior leaders at President Lula da Silva's State visit to Vietnam in March 2025 and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to attend the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and work bilaterally with Brazil in early July 2025.
At the phone call, the Brazilian Minister of Foreign Affairs announced that he would make a proposal for FTA negotiations with Vietnam at the most recent meeting of the MERCOSUR Bloc in early September 2025. Minister Mauro Vieira appreciated the potential for cooperation with Vietnam, saying that the signing of the FTA will open up many opportunities for businesses of both sides, especially in areas where the two countries have strengths such as agricultural products, processing industries and consumer goods.
Brazil is committed to supporting and coordinating with MERCOSUR member countries to promote the internal process towards initiating official negotiations during Brazil's rotating MERCOSUR presidency in the second half of 2025.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that in the context of many fluctuations in the global economy, FTA Vietnam and MERCOSUR will create conditions for businesses on both sides to diversify export markets.
Minister Nguyen Hong Dien highly appreciated Brazil's support for the FTA Vietnam - MERCOSUR negotiation proposal. The Minister emphasized that in the context of many fluctuations in the global economy, the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and MERCOSUR will create conditions for businesses of both sides to diversify export markets and supply sources, consolidating their position in the global supply chain.
The signing of the Vietnam FTA - MERCOSUR not only brings specific economic benefits to the parties, but also demonstrates the trust and commitment to promoting sustainable trade between regions.
The Minister of Industry and Trade suggested that the two sides soon hold a first meeting in early September with the goal of announcing the start of negotiations and holding the first round of negotiations as soon as possible.
At the end of the phone call, the two sides agreed to soon hold a meeting to discuss more in detail the FTA negotiation launch roadmap and technical coordination mechanisms related to promoting the development of bilateral economic and trade relations.
