Tokyo, Japan, Mar 26 (V7N)  – Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has urged Japan to pursue a trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, citing the need to counter rising US protectionist policies.  

"Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Wednesday for a trade deal between South America's Mercosur bloc and Japan to counter growing US protectionism," reported BSS/AFP.  

During his multi-day visit to Tokyo, Lula emphasized the mutual benefits of a Japan-Mercosur Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) at an economic forum attended by key business and political figures from both nations.  

"I am certain that we need to move forward in signing an Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Mercosur," Lula stated. "Our countries have more to gain from integration than from protectionist practices."  

The Mercosur bloc, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recently secured a free-trade deal with the European Union, though it faces further approval hurdles. Japanese business groups, notably the Keidanren business federation, have been actively advocating for a similar agreement with Mercosur.  

"The Keidanren business federation 'urgently' called in November for 'expedited efforts' towards a Japan-Mercosur Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), an accord similar to a free trade deal," a business report highlighted. "The benefits that a Japan-Mercosur EPA would bring to both parties are immense," the group said, noting the South American bloc's population of 300 million people and economic output approaching $3 trillion."  

However, potential challenges remain, particularly concerns within Japan's agricultural sector about the impact of increased imports from Brazil and Argentina.  

"But an agreement may be politically hard because of fears about the impact on Japanese farmers of large-scale agricultural imports, particularly from Brazil and Argentina," a trade analyst noted.  

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed his commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties with Brazil.  

"Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Wednesday that he and Lula will 'strongly push towards more smooth bilateral trade and investment.' While listening to these voices, we will continue talks towards strengthening bilateral and economic ties," Ishiba stated.  

Lula's visit, accompanied by a substantial business delegation, underscores the strategic importance Brazil places on deepening economic ties with Japan.  

"Lula, 79, arrived in Japan on Monday accompanied by a 100-strong business delegation," a diplomatic source confirmed.  

Both leaders are expected to issue a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to free trade, particularly in response to US President Donald Trump's trade policies.  

"We cannot go back to relying on protectionism. We do not want a second Cold War," Lula emphasized. "We want free trade so that we can ensure that democracy, economic growth and wealth distribution become established in our countries."

Additionally, Lula and Ishiba are set to discuss joint development in biofuels ahead of the COP30 UN climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon.  

"Lula and Ishiba, 68, were also expected to discuss the joint development of biofuels ahead of November's COP30 UN climate summit in the Brazilian Amazon," a climate correspondent reported.  

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