Comparative analysis of the strategic partnership between Brazil and Mexico with the European Union 2007-2025: results and expectation

Abstract

Strategic partnerships are a legal instrument incorporated into the rest of the European Union's foreign policy tools and aim to enhance its global presence. Strategic partnerships were used as a more political instrument, indicating that global challenges should be addressed by key partners through partnerships with other key players or regions. The European Union has decided to integrate this new element of foreign action without a clear understanding of its scope and impact. This has generated criticism from a vast number of countries internationally, which question the validity of strategic partnerships in their foreign action. This paper analyzes the development of strategic partnerships between the European Union in Latin America, specifically the strategic partnerships with Brazil (2007) and Mexico (2008). Therefore, it will attempt to identify their negotiation process and structure, and, above all, generate a comparative analysis of the results and development of these strategic partnerships to date. Finally, we will explore the potential of these partnerships to address global challenges, the integration of the Latin American and Caribbean region, and bilateral opportunities.