European bloc accelerates entry into force of trade agreement. France reacts badly, stating that the “unilateral decision” goes over the heads of the European Parliament, which has not yet given its approval.
The free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur will be applied provisionally, despite a pending review by the European bloc’s main court, announced the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, this Friday (27/02).
“I’ve said it before: when they’re ready, we’re ready,” he said. The path to provisional application was opened the day before, when Uruguay and Argentina ratified the agreement. Brazil and Paraguay have not yet done the same, but should take this step soon, she said. In Brazil, the Chamber of Deputies approved the agreement this Wednesday. The text now awaits Senate approval.
The measure allows the EU, Uruguay and Argentina to apply new customs rules before the agreement formally enters into force.
The Commission did not specify a date for the application of the text. The earliest possible date is April 1st, if the required formalities are completed before the end of February. If the necessary documentation is finalized in March, then the agreement must be applied from May 1st.
France reacts badly
France, the epicenter of resistance to the agreement, reacted badly to the prospect of provisional application without parliamentary approval. French President Emmanuel Macron said it was a “unilateral decision” that came as a “bad surprise”.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, attracts antipathy from farmers protesting the EU’s agreement with Mercosur | Frederick Florin/AFP/dpa/picture alliance
“The European Commission took the unilateral decision to provisionally apply the agreement with Mercosur, even though the European Parliament did not vote on it. Therefore, it assumes a very heavy responsibility,” he stated.
The trade agreement, negotiated for more than two decades, is viewed critically by some sectors in the EU. Fear among European farmers of being swallowed up by Mercosur competition led to the inclusion of protection clauses relating to imports from the sector.
“We will be uncompromising about complying with these rules, because Europe has significantly tightened the rules for our producers in recent years,” Macron added. “I will never defend an agreement that is loose on imports and strict on what we produce at home, because this is inconsistent for European consumers and criminal for European sovereignty.”
Environmental concerns
Environmentalists fear that increased EU demand for Mercosur agricultural products could lead to more deforestation in South America, including Brazil. On the other hand, supporters see opportunities for the automotive, mechanical engineering and pharmaceutical sectors.
Facing persistent criticism, the European Parliament decided in January by a narrow majority to send the deal for review by the European Court of Justice before a final vote, delaying implementation.
“The agreement can only be fully concluded when the European Parliament has given its consent,” von der Leyen said.
The Commission rejects the criticism and argues that the agreement is beneficial for the EU economy amid increasing global competition. According to the President of the Commission, the text gives Europe an “advantage in a world of fierce competition and short horizons.”
Originally published by DW on 02/27/2026
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2026/02/27/uniao-europeia-aplicara-provisoriamente-acordo-com-mercosul/
