EU–Mercosur Deal Heads for Jan. 17 Signing as Parliament Sets No-Confidence Vote

Overview

• The treaty is slated for signature on Jan. 17 in Asunción, with Brazil represented by Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hosts EU leaders in Rio a day earlier.
• European Parliament group leaders scheduled a Jan. 21 no-confidence vote tied to the deal, and approval could pause ratification pending a Court of Justice review.
• Five EU countries—France, Poland, Austria, Hungary and Ireland—opposed the qualified‑majority approval, reflecting political resistance concentrated in agriculture-heavy states.
• Farmer protests have escalated, including a potato-dumping action in Brussels whose organizer was detained, and unions are planning a demonstration in Strasbourg on Jan. 20.
• The pact would eliminate tariffs on roughly 90% of goods over phased timelines and adds stringent Trade and Sustainable Development due‑diligence obligations on rights, environment and anti‑corruption, with Brazil projecting entry into force in the second half of 2026 if approvals proceed.