The European Union is ready to apply a comprehensive free trade agreement with the Mercosur group of South American countries on a provisional basis, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today, despite a vote in the European Parliament to delay its ratification until it is legally reviewed.
The EU would be ready to act as soon as at least one Mercosur country ratifies the agreement, von der Leyen said after an informal meeting of EU leaders in Brussels, where several leaders raised the issue.
"There is a clear interest in ensuring that the benefits of this agreement are implemented as soon as possible. In short, we will be ready when they are ready," von der Leyen told a press conference.
She added that no official decision has yet been made on the implementation of the agreement.
At that press conference, European Council President Antonio Costa said that the European Commission has the authority to "go ahead" with the provisional application of the agreement.
Such a decision is likely to draw criticism from opponents of the agreement, led by France, according to the AP.
The European Parliament voted by a narrow majority on Wednesday to refer the EU-Mercosur trade deal, a trade bloc made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia, to the European Court of Justice for review. The procedure could delay it for two years.
Ratification of the agreement is almost guaranteed in South America, where the agreement has broad support.
Mercosur's newest member, Bolivia, is not included in the trade agreement but could join in the coming years. Venezuela is suspended from the bloc and is not included in the agreement.
The deal is key to Brussels' plan to move trade relations beyond its historical dependence on the United States, following antagonism between the two sides during President Donald Trump's second term. The EU has struck deals from Japan to Mexico and is expected to sign a similar deal with India later this month.
The EU signed the largest trade agreement with Mercosur members last Saturday, after 25 years of negotiations.
Those who support it believe it is important to offset job losses due to US tariffs and reduce dependence on China.
Critics, led by France, say the agreement will increase imports of cheap beef, sugar and poultry, which will threaten domestic farmers.
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