Delaying Mercosur agreement will be lost opportunity for Europe

The EPP Group warns that today’s decision to refer the EU–Mercosur agreement to the Court of Justice (ECJ) risks creating unnecessary delays at a moment when Europe needs clarity and direction. In the current turbulent geopolitical situation, Europe cannot afford paralysis or prolonged uncertainty. Therefore, we call for the provisional application, as it could create improved predictability and business opportunities in the South American region for European companies and citizens. 

EPP Group spokesperson on International Trade Jörgen Warborn MEP called the move political rather than legal, saying, “This referral is not about legal clarity - it is a political attempt to stall an agreement that Europe urgently needs.” He stressed that the issues raised have already been tested or are fully compatible with EU law, and that the agreement would strengthen EU health protections through more checks, more audits, and a dedicated border task force. 

Postponing the agreement will harm Europe’s economic and geopolitical position at a time when the EU faces pressure from US tariffs and subsidised Chinese competition. Mercosur already supports over 600,000 European jobs, and with EU exports expected to rise by 39 percent, it would support many more and create new opportunities across key industrial and agri-food sectors. Sensitive agricultural areas would be shielded by the strongest safeguards ever included in an EU trade agreement, including tariff quotas, safeguard mechanisms, and a financial safety net for farmers.

Warborn MEP emphasised that Europe must remain a credible partner as it negotiates new agreements with countries such as India, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. “We owe citizens facts, not fear. The safeguards in this agreement are stronger than in any previous EU trade deal,” he said. He warned that further delays would undermine Europe’s reliability on the global stage. “If Europe wants to be taken seriously in global trade, we must show that we can finalise agreements - not endlessly postpone them,” Warborn concluded.