For the first 21 years of my life, I lived in a world where peace was fragile, and alliances were dictated by necessity rather than choice. When I left Germany in 2004 to start a new life in the land of my parents, I was leaving that era behind. I never imagined that, two decades later, I would be drafting an article like this and arguing that Europe must find a new path to secure its independence and strategic freedom.

But here we are.

The EU-Mercosur agreement, while far from perfect, represents exactly the kind of partnership that Europe and countries like Portugal must now pursue. In an increasingly fractured global landscape, where trust is undermined by transactional diplomacy and old allies behave like unpredictable rivals, this deal is more than a trade agreement. It is a clear declaration that Europe wants to think and act on its own terms.

Let us not fool ourselves. The current U.S. administration has chosen a path of economic nationalism, one that prioritizes short-term gains and political grandstanding over stable, cooperative global relationships. The rhetoric of “America First” has become policy, and the ripple effects are being felt in supply chains, trade negotiations, and the diplomatic tone between countries that once called each other friends. For Europe, the message is clear: we can no longer rely on the United States as the steady hand it once was in global affairs. Not because we do not value our relationship, but because it has become increasingly one-sided.

This is why the EU-Mercosur agreement matters so much. It is an opportunity to recalibrate. It allows Europe to strengthen ties with a bloc of countries that, like us, believe in multilateralism, in trade as a bridge rather than a battleground, and in sustainable, balanced development. Brazil and its Mercosur partners are not just emerging markets; they are emerging allies. Allies who can help us diversify our partnerships, secure new supply chains, and build the kind of green, future-oriented economy we keep promising our citizens.

For Portugal, the opportunity is especially relevant. We are a nation of seafarers and connectors, one that has always looked beyond its borders for ideas, commerce, and cooperation. Lisbon hosting events in support of the agreement is not just symbolic; it is deeply aligned with who we are and who we can be. We understand that a stronger relationship with South America does not mean turning our back on Europe but rather enriching our role within it.

Still, I do not write this out of naïve optimism. The concerns raised by France, Ireland, Austria, and others must be addressed. Fairness in agriculture, environmental protections, and social safeguards are not negotiable, they are the foundation of the European project. But using these concerns as reasons to stall or reject the agreement outright would be a mistake. We cannot allow perfectionism or protectionism to blind us to the long-term strategic value of this deal.

When I think back to those Cold War years, to the feeling of being caught between systems, unable to choose your future freely, I see an uncomfortable echo in today’s world. The names have changed, the walls are different, but the pressure to pick sides and still without true autonomy feels familiar to me. That is why this agreement resonates with me so personally. It is not just about trade; it is about choice. It is about Europe choosing cooperation over dependency, and Portugal stepping forward, once again, as a voice of connection.

In a world where too many leaders are busy building barriers, the EU-Mercosur agreement offers a rare chance to build something better. We should take it.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes