European textile, leather, footwear and cosmetics industries demand free trade

19 European industrial confederations, including those representing the textile, leather, footwear, and cosmetics sectors, have issued a joint appeal to Brussels, urging for the swift implementation of a free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur. 

The joint appeal has been signed by key players such as Euratex (European Apparel and Textile Confederation), Cotance (European Confederation of the Leather Industry), CEC (European Confederation of the Footwear Industry), Cosmetics Europe (European trade association for the cosmetics and personal care industry), and Cecimo (European Association of the Machine Tool Industries).

They are joined by trade federations representing sectors such as retail (EuroCommerce), automotive (ACEA, CLEPA), construction (CECE), chemicals (CEFIC), dairy, and spirits, as well as Eurochambres, which bring together European chambers of commerce and industry.

“Our sectors consider the EU-Mercosur agreement essential for preserving our competitiveness,” emphasized the joint statement. “It would offer us the opportunity to diversify our export markets and expand the portfolio of essential industrial input suppliers (…). The EU-Mercosur agreement presents a unique and timely opportunity for Europe to seize the advantage of being the first to penetrate the larger Latin American market.”

The Mercosur region comprises Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay (with Venezuela’s inclusion suspended since 2017). Colombia, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador also hold associate membership status. The free trade project is currently hindered by the EU’s environmental requirements concerning Argentina and Brazil.

In June, Euratex, along with its Brazilian counterpart ABIT and Argentine counterpart FITA, issued a joint statement urging the respective governments to move the free trade project forward, with hopes of reaching a signing before the end of the year.