Two months after Nicolás Maduro’s kidnapping, the people of Venezuela are hoping that Donald Trump’s US administration will lead the country out of its economic and political isolation. This presents great opportunities for German industry.

Legislative proposals for the treaty have been submitted to the Mercosur parliaments. In Brazil, the agricultural sector wants improvements, and Argentina has concluded a trade agreement with the US that conflicts with the agreement with the EU.

The economic outlook for 2026 is stable and slightly positive. Politically, the continent is facing a change of direction due to several elections. The influence of geopolitics is likely to increase further.

The US is attempting to reassert its influence in the region in order to counter China’s massive engagement. The impact this will have on European companies remains to be seen.

Brussels has initiated the ratification process for the trade agreements with Mercosur and Mexico. The chances are good that this will be completed before the end of this year.

It is still unclear where the US customs policy toward the region will ultimately lead. The future of the EU’s free trade agreements with Latin America also remains open.

At present, China could significantly expand its political influence in South America. There are a number of important events coming up in the second half of the year.

Venezuela’s economy could boom in the near future. But this requires the rule of law.

The future president and her party will have more power than most of her predecessors. The financial markets are reacting nervously to this. German companies continue to back the country.

The IMF’s latest forecasts for the region’s economies are cautiously optimistic. And this is where the country with the highest growth worldwide is located.