Overview
- The European Commission formally adopted and published the EU‑Mercosur agreement and transmitted it for ratification, pairing it with an EU‑only safeguard plan, a separate legal act and a financial reserve for farmers.
- The pact phases out tariffs on about 91% of EU exports to Mercosur and 92% of Mercosur exports to the EU, adds a 99,000‑tonne beef quota subject to a 7.5% levy, and grants the EU a duty‑free 30,000‑ton cheese quota.
- Brussels says the safeguards can be triggered when a single member state faces market disruption, and diplomats say the EU is using an internal workaround so the deal need not be renegotiated with Mercosur.
- Ratification requires consent from the European Parliament and support from at least 15 EU countries representing 65% of the population, with France opposed and Poland and Italy signaling reservations as Germany and Spain press for approval.
- Supporters cite export gains, access to critical minerals and relief from U.S. tariffs under President Trump, while farm lobbies and green groups warn of unfair competition and weak enforcement on deforestation despite a 2030 commitment.