At the plenary session of the European Parliament held in Strasbourg, the trade agreement signed on 17 January between the EU and the MERCOSUR countries — Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay — was discussed.
During the session, a proposal to request a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on whether the EU–MERCOSUR trade agreement complies with EU treaties was put to a vote. The proposal was approved by 334 votes in favor to 324 against. Following this decision, the European Court of Justice will examine the legal aspects of the agreement. Similar cases reviewed by the Court are known to take around two years to conclude.
The EU–MERCOSUR trade agreement, whose negotiations lasted 25 years and which was signed on 17 January, will enter into force after being approved by both the European Parliament and the EU Council. Under the agreement, tariff concessions are expected for certain agricultural products such as beef, poultry, and dairy, while MERCOSUR countries are expected to further open their markets to European industrial goods.
The agreement also includes safeguard clauses allowing restrictions on market access for sensitive agricultural products imported from MERCOSUR when deemed necessary. However, farmers’ organizations across Europe have stated that they do not consider these measures sufficient.
Brussels views the agreement as a major geopolitical gain that will strengthen the EU’s trade presence and influence in Latin America. While Germany and Spain support the deal, several member states — notably France, Poland, and Hungary — along with many farming groups, have voiced opposition.
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