From signature to standstill: what future for the EU-Mercosur agreement?

The EU-Mercosur agreement has entered a new and uncertain phase. Although it was formally signed on 17 January 2026, the European Parliament’s decision to refer the deal to the European Court of Justice for legal checks effectively freezes the ratification process, with the final ruling potentially taking up to two years.

In this Lab session, policymakers, economists and stakeholders from both the EU and Mercosur discuss what lies ahead: Is provisional application of the agreement a legally and politically viable option? What does this prolonged impasse mean for the future of EU-Mercosur relations? What are the broader strategic implications for EU trade policy at a time of heightened geopolitical competition, shifting alliances and supply chain reconfiguration?