Abstract
This executive summary analyzes the economic and investment relations between the
European Union (EU) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) from 2015 to 2025.
According to the latest research, the following conclusions can be drawn:
1) In 2024, the value of trade in goods between the EU and LAC reached €275.986
billion. The EU maintained its position as a net exporter of goods, with an export
surplus of approximately €24 billion. The top export categories were machinery and
transport equipment (approximately 43% of exports) from the EU and raw materials
and agriculture (SITC 0–4 and 2–3) from the LAC.
2) FDI demonstrated a recovery following the dip caused by the pandemic. However,
primary sources indicate discrepancies for 2024 (ECLAC: +7.1% to $188.962 billion;
UNCTAD: -12% to $164 billion), reflecting methodological differences.
3) The emergence of new EU regimes (EUDR, CBAM, CSDDD, and CRMA) is poised to
reshape cost/benefit profiles. The modernization of the EU–Mexico Agreement
(political agreement on January 17, 2025) and nearshoring in North America are set
to unlock scaling opportunities. From this, we derive governance-weighted location
screenings, dual compliance architectures (EU/US), and step-by-step scaling paths.
