THE IMPORTANCE OF GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EUROPEAN UNION–MERCOSUR AGREEMENT: institutional asymmetries, protection models, and implementation challenges

This study aims to analyze the legal framework of Geographical Indications (GIs) within the Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) between the European Union and Mercosur, focusing on institutional asymmetries between the blocs and the challenges of their territorial implementation. The methodology adopted is qualitative and exploratory in nature, based on bibliographic research for data collection from legislation, scientific articles, and official documents. As a synthesis of the final considerations, a structural gap is identified between the legal recognition of GIs and their actual capacity to produce economic transformation in Global South territories. The study concludes that the agreement’s effectiveness depends on overcoming Mercosur’s normative fragmentation and building solid territorial governance, without which GIs run the risk of operating merely as formal legal signs with reduced impact on regional development.