US EditionEU lawmakers vote to block Mercosur trade agreement over legal concerns
- On Jan 21, 2026 the European Parliament voted to refer the EU-Mercosur trade agreement to the EU Court of Justice, suspending parliamentary approval by 334 to 324 with 11 abstentions.
- Opponents including France, Ireland, and Poland said farmers and environmental campaigners fear cheaper imports, deforestation, and lower food standards, prompting the legal challenge.
- Nearly 1,000 tractors and about 5,000 farmers protested outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg, celebrating after the referral passed, as slogans like 'Save your farmers' appeared .
- The referral immediately suspends the Parliament's approval and sends the pact to the Court, which typically takes around two years to issue an opinion, while the European Commission could still apply the agreement provisionally despite risks of institutional strain and Mercosur partners abandoning the deal.
- The pact would cover over 700 million people and eliminate tariffs on more than 90% of bilateral trade, while the EU and Mercosur combined account for 30% of global GDP.
96 Articles
96 Articles
The European Court of Justice is to review the EU's free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries. The European Parliament in Strasbourg decided by a small majority to obtain an opinion on whether the document is compatible with EU law. As a consequence, the ratification process could be delayed by months or even years.
The European Parliament is taking the Mercosur agreement to the EU Court of Justice. The decision is a major success for Hungarian farmers.
The Eurocamera approved by 334 votes to 324 with 11 abstentions the request to send the text of the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement to the Court of Justice of the European Union...
There is much criticism about the EU's free trade agreement with Mercosur countries. The European Parliament is now having the Treaty reviewed by the Supreme Court of the EU.
German chancellor calls EU parliament vote on South American trade deal ‘regrettable’
Friedrich Merz says lawmakers' decision to send pact to top EU court ‘misjudges the geopolitical situation,’ insisting Mercosur deal should be provisionally applied without further delays - Anadolu Ajansı
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