European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision to provisionally implement the trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries. This move, executed without waiting for a vote in the European Parliament, has sparked fierce protests in France and a wave of criticism from European farmers and right-wing politicians. The decision is strategic and aims to strengthen Europe's economic position in an era of global uncertainty.

Provisional implementation of the agreement

The European Commission decides to apply the trade part of the agreement without waiting for full ratification by national parliaments.

Sharp reaction from France

President Macron and French farmers see the decision as a betrayal and a threat to the European food production sector.

Opportunities for industry

Italy and Spain are counting on billion-euro profits from exporting wine, pharmaceuticals, and machinery to South American markets.

Controversy over food

Reports indicate low sanitary-epidemiological standards of meat products imported from Brazil and Argentina.

The European Commission's decision to initiate the provisional implementation procedure of the agreement with Mercosur countries marks a turning point in negotiations lasting over two decades. President Ursula von der Leyen justified this haste as a geopolitical necessity, stating that Europe cannot afford further delay in building economic alliances. The provisional application mechanism allows key trade provisions to take effect even before the final completion of ratification processes in the capitals of all member states. This provoked an immediate and sharp reaction from French President Emmanuel Macron, who described the action as a "bad surprise" and a blow to the interests of French agriculture. In Poland and other EU countries, concerns are growing over the quality standards of imported food. Critics of the agreement, including opposition MEPs, point to reports concerning the presence of hormones and microorganisms in meat from Brazil and Argentina. Farmers fear unfair competition from Latin American agro-industrial giants, who do not have to meet the rigorous requirements of the Green Deal. Meanwhile, representatives of the wine and pharmaceutical industries in Italy and Spain see the agreement as an opportunity to open markets worth over 14 billion euros. The contrast between benefits for industry and threats to agriculture deepens divisions within the Community. Negotiations on the trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc began in 1999, making it one of the longest-proceeded agreements in the history of modern economic diplomacy. The prospect of full implementation of the agreement, however, remains distant. Although the European Commission pushed through the provisional mode, the final text of the agreement will have to face strong social and political resistance, particularly in countries with strong agricultural sectors. In Spain, the leader of the Vox party announced a fight to hold a national referendum on the matter, suggesting that the dispute over Mercosur will become an axis of election campaigns in many European countries. Meanwhile, governments in Buenos Aires and Brasília welcome Brussels' decision, seeing it as an opportunity to significantly increase exports of raw materials and agricultural products to the European market. „C'est une très mauvaise nouvelle pour la France et pour nos agriculteurs, prise d'une manière qui pose de sérieuses questions sur le respect des procédures démocratiques.” (This is very bad news for France and for our farmers, taken in a manner that raises serious questions about respect for democratic procedures.) — Emmanuel Macron

Mentioned People

  • Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission, who announced the decision on the provisional implementation of the agreement.
  • Emmanuel Macron — President of France, the main opponent of the method of implementing the Mercosur agreement.
  • Anna Bryłka — Polish MEP sharply criticizing the actions of the European Commission.