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5d ago

EU Moves to Provisionally Apply Mercosur Trade Deal After Uruguay and Argentina Ratify

Provisional application begins limited implementation pending court review; full entry still requires a European Parliament vote.

Representatives approve the EU–Mercosur agreement through electronic voting at Congress in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
A man holds placards, as French farmers from FNSEA and Jeunes Agriculteurs farm unions take part in a demonstration to protest against the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, in Strasbourg, France, January 20, 2026. REUTERS/Yves Herman
Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, attends a session at Congress while representatives discuss the EU–Mercosur agreement in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)
Mario Lubetkin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, smiles after lawmakers approved the EU–Mercosur agreement at Congress in Montevideo, Uruguay, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Overview

  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Friday that the EU will start provisional application of the pact after Uruguay and Argentina completed ratification.
  • The European Parliament has referred the agreement to the EU Court of Justice, so the measure remains temporary until judges rule and lawmakers decide on final consent.
  • Uruguay became the first country to ratify the deal, followed hours later by Argentina, whose Senate approved it 69–3 after earlier passage in the lower house.
  • Brazil’s lower house backed the accord by a large majority, with Brazil’s Senate and Paraguay’s Congress expected to take up ratification in the coming weeks.
  • The agreement would eliminate tariffs on more than 90% of EU–Mercosur trade, expanding EU market access for vehicles, machinery and pharmaceuticals, while opening EU markets wider to South American agricultural and mineral exports as France and farm groups voice strong objections despite proposed safeguards.