The European Union's free trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur will apply on a provisional basis from May 1, the European Commission said on Monday.
Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino, Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Argentina's President Javier Milei, Uruguay's President Yamandu Orsi and Brazil's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira listen to Paraguay's President Santiago Pena's speech, during the signing ceremony of a free trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur, ending more than 25 years of negotiations, in Asuncion, Paraguay, January 17, 2026. REUTERS/Cesar Olmedo
The key trade elements of the accord, which has proven contentious in Europe, will apply from that date between the 27-nation European Union and the countries in Mercosur that have completed their ratification procedures before the end of March.
"Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have already done so. Paraguay has recently ratified the agreement and is expected to send its notification soon," the Commission said in a statement.
