The EU and Mercosur reached a political agreement on the Mercosur Free Trade Agreement in December 2024.
This agreement is expected to strengthen strategic trade and political ties between the EU and Mercosur countries. It aims to boost bilateral trade and investment, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises, and may also have an impact on security issues.
President Trump will take office in January. What will be the impact of the new administration in Washington on the framework of the USMCA Agreement?
The event is co-organized by the Finnish Latin American Business Council and Business Finland.
Program
08.30
Morning coffee with networking possibilities
09.00
Opening words
Ms. Kirsi Seppäläinen, Chair of the Finnish Latin Business Council
Mr. Janne Aalto, Member of the Board of the Finnish Latin Business Council
09.05
EU-Mercosur Agreement: negotiated result and the way forward
Mr. Kent Wilska, Trade and Commerce, Director, Unit for Technology and Sustainability,
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland
09.30
Market opportunities
Ms. Heidi Virta, Senior Director, Head of Region Latin America, Business Finland
09.45
Panel discussion – Companies experiences and expectations
led by Ms. Heidi Virta and Mr. Janne
Aalto
10.15
Panel discussion – Ambassadors of Argentine, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay (tbc)
led by Mr. Kari Puurunen, Head of Mission, Consul, Team Finland coordinator, Consulate of Finland, São Paulo
10.45
Perspectives of US trade policy, including potential impacts on Mexico
Mr. Ilkka Saarinen, Director, Trade Policy Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finlan
11.05
Speech by H.E. Enrique Rojo-Stein, Ambassador of Mexico to Finland
11.25
Discussion
11.50
Closing words
Ms. Päivi Pohjanheimo, Director of International Affairs & Trade, Finland Chamber of Commerce, Country Director Secretary General, ICC Finland
Mr. Janne Aalto, Member of the Board of the Finnish Latin Business Council12.00
End of the event
