The European Union will provisionally apply the free trade agreement with Mercosur, after ratification by Uruguay and Argentina. Trade exchanges could begin in two months.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that the European Union will provisionally apply the free trade agreement with the South American bloc Mercosur, despite existing controversies. The decision was made possible after Uruguay and Argentina ratified the agreement, paving the way for its temporary activation. Trade exchanges could begin in about two months, once confirmed by a "verbal note" between the parties. The EU spokesperson, Olof Gill, emphasized that other Mercosur states, such as Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil, are expected to ratify the agreement soon. The European Union considers this agreement essential in the current geopolitical context and aims to provide concrete benefits to companies and citizens. The application of the agreement is temporary and will require the consent of the European Parliament to become permanent. Additionally, the agreement faces opposition from the agricultural sector and some member states, such as France and Poland.