EU refers Mercosur trade deal to top court
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- European Union lawmakers voted narrowly to delay ratification of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement by sending it to the European Court of Justice for a legality review, with 334 in favor and 324 against.
- The agreement, signed recently after 25 years of negotiation, aims to eliminate over 90% of tariffs between the EU and Mercosur countries, creating a large free trade zone for over 700 million consumers.
- France, a major agricultural producer, has opposed the deal seeking stronger protections for its farmers, with its Foreign Minister supporting the parliamentary move to delay ratification.
- The European Commission and leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed regret over the delay, emphasizing the agreement's geopolitical importance and urging provisional application.
- Ratification
