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EU-Mercosur Deal: Provisional Application Possible from March

Published January 22, 2026, 17:15
EU-Mercosur Deal: Provisional Application Possible from March

The European Union's free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay) is expected to be provisionally applied as early as March, despite being referred to the bloc's top court by MEPs. This referral could delay the full implementation of the agreement by up to two years. The provisional application will be triggered once ratified by one Mercosur member state, with Paraguay likely to do so in March. The agreement, the largest trade deal in the EU's history, has sparked controversy. Supporters emphasize the need to offset losses from US tariffs and reduce dependence on China. Germany and Chancellor Friedrich Merz are among the key proponents. Conversely, critics, led by France, are concerned about increased imports of cheap beef, sugar, and poultry, which could undermine European farmers. French farmers have already staged mass protests, demonstrating against the potential implementation of the deal. The provisional application is considered politically challenging due to the backlash, while the European Parliament retains the right to cancel the agreement in the future. France has warned that imposing the provisional application would constitute a democratic backsliding. The European Commission has pledged to hold consultations before making any decision.