Parliament approves Mercosur safeguard clauses for EU agriculture
Context
On 10 February 2026 the European Parliament adopted a resolution adding bilateral safeguard clauses to the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement to address concerns about trade liberalisation with the Mercosur countries Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The new regulation was already informally agreed with EU member states and was approved by 483 MEPs in favour, 102 against and 67 abstentions.
Key Topic
The regulation sets out how the EU could temporarily suspend tariff preferences on agricultural imports from the Mercosur countries if a surge in those imports harms EU producers, aiming to protect the EU agriculture sector after trade liberalisation. It provides additional guarantees for sensitive products such as beef and poultry and establishes strict thresholds to trigger the safeguards.
What to Watch
The European Commission will monitor the market and report every six months, with those reports informing potential safeguard measures.
Sources
Official Documents
- General documents - EP Resolution of 10 February 2026 on Bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement - Delegation for relations with Mercosur The European Parliament approved a bilateral safeguard clause framework in the EU–Mercosur Partnership, introducing strict triggers and semi-annual monitoring to temporarily suspend agricultural tariff concessions if Mercosur imports harm EU farmers.
Latest EU trade developments
-
EU and Australia agree FTA and Security and Defence Partnership
The EU and Australia adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement, and agreed to launch formal negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
Read more -
EU and Australia agree Security and Defence Partnership and free trade deal
The European Commission announced that the EU and Australia have adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations on a balanced free trade agreement, and agreed to launch talks on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
Read more -
EU envoy briefs delegation after Canada mission
Joost Korte, EU Envoy for the EU–Canada partnership, briefed the European Parliament delegation after a two‑week mission to Canada and outlined priorities ahead of a tentative autumn 2026 summit.
Read more
From the same institution
-
EU envoy briefs delegation after Canada mission
Joost Korte, EU Envoy for the EU–Canada partnership, briefed the European Parliament delegation after a two‑week mission to Canada and outlined priorities ahead of a tentative autumn 2026 summit.
Read more -
MEPs back lowering most tariffs on US industrial and agricultural goods
MEPs in the International Trade Committee adopted their position on two legislative proposals to eliminate most tariffs on US industrial and agricultural goods, by 29 votes in favour, 9 against and 1 abstention.
Read more -
DMER mission to Argentina, 30 March–1 April 2026
The Delegation for relations with Mercosur (DMER) will visit Buenos Aires and Salta from 30 March to 1 April 2026 to meet national and provincial authorities, stakeholders and to visit European companies and an EU-funded project.
Read more
Similar policy actions
-
EU and Australia agree FTA and Security and Defence Partnership
The EU and Australia adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement, and agreed to launch formal negotiations for Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
Read more -
EU and Australia agree Security and Defence Partnership and free trade deal
The European Commission announced that the EU and Australia have adopted a Security and Defence Partnership, concluded negotiations on a balanced free trade agreement, and agreed to launch talks on Australia’s association to Horizon Europe.
Read more -
EU envoy briefs delegation after Canada mission
Joost Korte, EU Envoy for the EU–Canada partnership, briefed the European Parliament delegation after a two‑week mission to Canada and outlined priorities ahead of a tentative autumn 2026 summit.
Read more