Trade Agreements with Mercosur and Mexico Must Be Ratified Without Delay say Chambers Ireland

Chambers Ireland has today urged swift ratification of both the Mercosur and Mexico trade agreements. Speaking after the proposals were published by the European Commission, Chief Executive Ian Talbot said:

“We need to develop new markets, particularly in light of ongoing volatility in some of our largest existing ones. Today’s announcement is a positive development that will help anchor stability at a time when international trade dynamics are shifting rapidly.

Businesses need access to new markets to retain revenue, drive growth and remain competitive, and these agreements offer a strategic lifeline. Overall, they will help diversify our export base and support businesses in navigating an increasingly challenging global trade environment.”

Talbot continued:

“The Mercosur agreement has been on the table for far too long and it’s time to get things moving. Today’s announcement introduces significant new safeguards for agriculture and presents the Irish Government with the opportunity to reconsider its opposition to the previous version of the agreement.

These deals also present significant opportunities for sectors like the drinks sector and will further liberalise the services sector. To seize those opportunities, Government should provide enhanced support for exporting to new markets backed by a targeted awareness campaign to ensure that businesses can fully engage.”

We are calling on the Irish Government, EU Council and the European Parliament to support the ratification process and ensure that businesses across Ireland and the Single Market can benefit from expanded market access without further delay.

He concluded:

“We should also not lose sight of the progress we need to make in other areas. In parallel, we must invest in strategic infrastructure and accelerate the delivery of key projects that are vital to our competitiveness. Government should also prioritise holding a referendum on the Unified Patent Court without delay.”