Since 1999, Mercosur and the European Union have been working to establish a free trade agreement, resulting in one of the largest trade and investment alliances in the world. The agreement involves around 718 million people and a GDP of approximately US$22 trillion, including the reduction of trade tariffs and the facilitation of investments. The main expectation is that the agreement will boost trade between the two blocs, strengthening their economies in a world increasingly polarized between China and the United States.
For Brazil, the agreement represents greater access to the European market, especially in commodities, and the opening of the Brazilian market to European products, such as pharmaceuticals, automobiles and services. This will also bring benefits to consumers, who should enjoy cheaper imported products. Tariff reductions between the blocs will open up new opportunities for companies.
In addition to addressing trade issues, the agreement also includes provisions related to environmental protection and judicial and criminal cooperation, which are highly relevant in the current context.
Although the agreement is not primarily focused on criminal issues, it includes mechanisms that promote legal cooperation between the authorities of both blocs, facilitating the exchange of information and helping to prevent transnational crimes, such as money laundering, corruption and other financial crimes. This type of cooperation is crucial to ensure that companies that carry out international transactions are not used for illicit practices.
Companies operating between Mercosur and the European Union must remain vigilant to the risks of involvement in criminal activities, especially with regard to money laundering and corruption, which can arise in the course of large international deals. To protect their operations, companies must adopt rigorous internal monitoring practices, investigating the origins and destinations of financial flows and thoroughly assessing the legality of each transaction.
It is vital that companies closely monitor any suspicious activities, such as large financial transfers to countries with high risks of financial crimes or transactions that do not make sense within the business context. The lack of rigorous controls and adequate due diligence can lead to severe legal consequences, compromising both the reputation and the financial health of the business.
Legal cooperation between the blocs will facilitate the fight against fraud and financial crimes in international transactions, ensuring that business interests are protected and that they comply with applicable laws.