Parliament asks ECJ to assess EU‑Mercosur agreement
Context
The European Parliament on 21 January 2026 adopted a resolution requesting the European Court of Justice to assess whether the EU‑Mercosur agreement complies with EU treaties, with the adopting resolution passing by 334 votes in favour, 324 against and 11 abstentions, while a second resolution seeking a legal assessment was rejected by 225 votes for, 402 against and 13 abstentions.
Key Topic
The main issue is the legal basis of the EU‑Mercosur partnership agreement (EMPA) and the interim trade agreement (iTA), which the Parliament has asked the ECJ to review to determine conformity with EU treaties and to inform whether Parliament can subsequently grant or withhold its consent to the agreements.
What to Watch
The ECJ review of the legal basis of the EMPA and iTA and the Parliament's continued examination of the texts while awaiting the Court's opinion, after which Parliament will be able to vote to grant or refuse consent.
Sources
Official Documents
- General documents - EP Resolution of 21 January 2026 on requesting the EcJ to assess conformity with EU treaties - Delegation for relations with Mercosur European Parliament asks the ECJ for a legal opinion on whether the EU-Mercosur EMPA conforms to EU treaties; consent will follow the ECJ ruling.
Latest EU trade developments
-
EU Parliament adopts tariff changes for processed poultry meat
The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading on 21 November 2012 to implement exchange-of-letters agreements with Brazil and Thailand modifying tariff concessions on processed poultry meat and to amend the EU tariff nomenclature.
Read more -
Corrigendum to EP position on firearms import, export and transit measures
The European Parliament issued a corrigendum on 30 October 2024 to its first-reading position of 23 April 2024 on a recast Regulation implementing Article 10 of the UN Firearms Protocol, covering import, export and transit measures for firearms, their essential components and ammunition.
Read more -
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
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 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 -
7th EU‑UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in Brussels
The seventh EU‑UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly met in the European Parliament in Brussels on 16–17 March 2026 to discuss the Partnership Council, economic security, regional ties and security and defence cooperation.
Read more