Brazil to push for free-trade talks between Mercosur and Panama, Lula says

Brazil, which now holds the presidency of South American bloc Mercosur, will support negotiations for a free-trade agreement between the group and Panama, looking to start talks quickly, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday.

In a post on X following a bilateral meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino in Buenos Aires, Lula said Mulino confirmed his visit to Brazil in August, while Lula will visit Panama in January next year.