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

Overview

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced provisional application of the EU‑Mercosur agreement despite the European Parliament’s referral of the text to the Court of Justice of the EU.
• Uruguay and Argentina ratified the treaty on February 26, Brazil’s lower house has approved it, and Paraguay is preparing parliamentary consideration.
• France condemned the move as a unilateral overreach, with President Emmanuel Macron and major farm unions denouncing the decision during the Salon de l’Agriculture.
• The Commission says EU law allows provisional application; spokesperson Olof Gill indicated entry into effect would occur two months after formal exchanges with Mercosur partners.
• The pact would create a vast free‑trade zone covering about 30% of global GDP, boosting EU exports like cars and wines while expanding EU access for South American beef, poultry, sugar and other farm goods, even as court review and ratifications still determine its final status.