The European Commission has formally notified Mercosur countries of the European Union’s decision to proceed with the provisional application of the EU-Mercosur interim Trade Agreement (iTA).
The notification was made through a note verbale addressed to Paraguay, the legal custodian of Mercosur treaties, completing the final procedural requirement in line with the Council Decision of 9 January 2026.
As a result, the agreement is set to apply provisionally from 1 May 2026 between the European Union and those Mercosur countries that have completed their ratification procedures and notified the EU before the end of March. Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay have already completed this process, while Paraguay has recently ratified the agreement and is expected to notify shortly.
Immediate trade effects and safeguards
The provisional application of the agreement will enable the removal of tariffs on selected products from the outset, providing greater predictability for trade and investment flows between the two regions.
According to the European Commission, the agreement includes safeguards to protect sensitive sectors of the EU economy, while allowing businesses, consumers and farmers to benefit from improved market access.
Commenting on the development, Maroš Šefčovič stated:
“Provisional application ensures the removal of tariffs on certain products as of day one, creating predictable rules for trade and investment. EU businesses, consumers and farmers can thus start reaping the benefits of the deal immediately, while sensitive sectors of the EU economy are fully protected by robust safeguards.”
Strengthening cooperation and supply chains
Beyond tariff reductions, the agreement is expected to enhance cooperation between the EU and Mercosur countries on key global issues, including labour standards and climate change.
It also aims to support the development of more resilient and reliable supply chains, particularly in relation to the flow of critical raw materials, which are increasingly important for European industry.
Maroš Šefčovič also emphasised the broader strategic importance of the agreement:
“Provisional application will also ensure stronger EU-Mercosur collaboration on pressing global issues such as labour rights and climate change. It will create more resilient and reliable supply chains, crucial in particular for the predictable flow of critical raw materials.”
With provisional application expected to begin on 1 May 2026, exporters will be able to access detailed information on the use of the agreement through the Access2Markets platform, where guidance will be made available.
The provisional phase will allow the agreement to start delivering practical benefits while the remaining democratic ratification procedures continue at EU and Member State level.
Highlighting the significance of the step, Maroš Šefčovič concluded:
“This is an important step in demonstrating our credibility as a major trading partner. The priority now is turning this EU-Mercosur agreement into concrete outcomes, giving EU exporters the platform they need to seize new opportunities for trade, growth and jobs.”
