This publication is part of the EU-LAC Foundation’s series of analyses, recommendations, and strategic contributions aimed at enriching the bi-regional dialogue and the IV CELAC-EU Summit.
The meeting of Heads of State and Government, to be held in Santa Marta, Colombia, in November 2025, represents a strategic opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union in key areas such as sustainable economic development, fair trade, and investment. In a global context marked by profound shifts in trade dynamics as well as technological and infrastructure advances, it is essential to inform the principal bi-regional stakeholders—decision-makers, representatives of banks, business leaders, and investors—about the current situation and future prospects of the partnership between the two regions, with a view to promoting, among other goals, fair trade, investment opportunities, innovation, decent employment, and competitiveness.
This discussion paper provides key bi-regional actors and stakeholders with a valuable systematisation of existing potential and opportunities. It underscores the economic and political significance of the EU-LAC strategic partnership for each region within today’s turbulent global environment. It examines trade relations, with particular attention to recent political developments, and explores possible avenues for collaboration to address fragmentation by harnessing the potential of the EU-LAC bi-regional acquis. Finally, it focuses on investment, analyses existing trends and instruments, and identifies areas of opportunity.