SPAIN PERSPECTIVE

The Local Spain covers the deal with enthusiasm. Spain, which shares cultural and linguistic ties with the Mercosur bloc, sees privileged access for its wine, olive oil and pharmaceutical exports. La Rioja wines and Andalusian olive oils will see significant tariff reductions across four South American markets. Madrid actively counterbalanced French opposition within the European Council. The co-presidency of the Commission by Costa, representing the Lusophone wing of the agreement, reinforces the Iberian sense of being on the winning side of this historic negotiation.