French President Macron says EU's statement today on Mercosur was a bad surprise

French President Macron says EU's statement today on Mercosur was a bad surprise

French President Macron Criticizes EU’s Provisional Application of Mercosur Trade Deal

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed disappointment over the European Commission's decision to provisionally apply the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, calling the move a "bad surprise" and a potential "democratic violation". The agreement, which eliminates tariffs on over 90% of goods between the EU and the South American bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), requires full ratification by the European Parliament and all EU member states before entering into force. However, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on February 27, 2026, that provisional implementation would proceed following Argentina and Uruguay's ratification.

France has been a vocal critic of the deal, particularly due to concerns over agricultural competitiveness. French farmers fear cheaper imports of beef, poultry, and dairy from Mercosur countries could undermine domestic producers. Macron's government has warned that provisional application bypasses democratic safeguards, as the European Parliament referred the agreement to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) in January 2026 to assess its legality. The CJEU review, expected to take up to two years, has delayed final approval.

The EU-Mercosur agreement, negotiated over 25 years, creates one of the world's largest free trade zones, covering 700 million consumers and 30% of global GDP. While the European Commission highlights opportunities for EU businesses to access new markets, critics argue the deal weakens environmental and labor standards and risks exposing EU farmers to unfair competition. To address concerns, the EU introduced a bilateral safeguard clause, allowing temporary suspension of tariff preferences for sensitive agricultural products if import surges threaten domestic industries.

Businesses trading between the blocs are advised to monitor developments, as the agreement's future hinges on the CJEU ruling and political negotiations. For now, the provisional application creates uncertainty, with France and other member states likely to continue opposing the deal until legal and agricultural safeguards are fully addressed.