Brussels delays opening of Mercosur talks

Brussels has postponed the opening of negotiations on the EU‑Mercosur free trade agreement, delaying the ratification process for the bloc’s next major trade initiative.

More than eight months have passed since Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Montevideo to sign the political pact with the leaders of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil, yet the legal texts required to launch ratification have not arrived.

The deal was framed by the Commission as a political necessity to cushion the impact of U.S. tariffs. A spokesperson said the texts would be sent to the EU’s co‑legislators “in a few days,” but the timetable has slipped. A European source outside Brussels suggests the delay may reflect the longer‑than‑expected tariff talks with Washington.

Observers warn the postponement could jeopardize the goal of provisional ratification before the year ends, enabling partial entry into force before all 27 member states give final approval.

In early July, European Council President António Costa urged moving ahead by year‑end, underscoring Mercosur’s role in Brussels’ broader strategy to diversify markets and reduce reliance on the United States. Mercosur is the world’s largest trading bloc after the EU, with around 270 million people; together with the EU’s 400 million, the potential market would exceed 700 million.

Other negotiations remain in the pipeline—Indonesia, Australia, India—but none match Mercosur in scale or ambition. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez endorsed the accord during a Montevideo visit, arguing it would create a 700‑million consumer market and help shield against trade conflicts.

Geopolitically, the EU emphasizes multilateralism and the rules‑based order, contrasting with a bilateral approach associated with the United States. Reaching provisional approval will require concerted effort from the Commission and governments such as Germany and Spain; France has been the principal skeptic, though President Macron recently signalled openness “to approve the deal if it preserves our agriculture and economies.” Italy has moved closer to a yes, provided agricultural interests are safeguarded, while the Netherlands’ final stance remains uncertain amid pending elections.

Within the European Parliament, the debate is expected to be tense. Renew Europe calls for formal presentation of the texts and translation into all 24 official languages, with debates grounded in facts and figures. While some groups see potential benefits, Greens and The Left are anticipated to oppose, and the outcome remains uncertain.

Ultimately, supporters and critics alike acknowledge the broader strategic and economic stakes for Europe’s trade policy and its role on the world stage.

Source: Full Article ElPais