Canada Seeks Quick Trade Deal with South America

Canadian trade officials are pushing hard to finish a free‑trade agreement with the Mercosur group by this fall. The country wants to speed up talks, aiming for meetings every six weeks or so, according to the minister of international trade speaking at a WTO event in Cameroon. He has already held talks with Argentina and Paraguay, and plans to meet Brazil and Uruguay soon on the sidelines of the same conference.The goal is clear: close negotiations by autumn. A senior Argentine diplomat said a signing could happen in September or October, about a year after talks resumed. A Brazilian envoy echoed that the pace is record‑fast and optimism high, suggesting a deal this year. Canada’s move comes amid uncertainty over U. S. tariffs and the need to diversify its trade partners. South America, especially Brazil, is seen as a vital ally that Canada cannot afford to lose. The effort reflects the country’s broader strategy to strengthen ties with new markets while navigating shifting global trade dynamics.