EU lawmakers vote to hold up Mercosur trade agreement over legal concerns

Associated Press (AP)CenterEN 3 min read 100% complete by By LORNE COOKJanuary 21, 2026 at 03:23 PM

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EU lawmakers voted on Wednesday in Strasbourg, France, to delay ratifying the EU-Mercosur trade agreement due to legal concerns. The vote, with 334 in favor and 324 against, will send the agreement to the European Court of Justice for review to ensure its compliance with EU treaties. The assembly cannot vote on the pact until the court rules, a process that could take months. The EU-Mercosur agreement, signed into effect on Saturday after 25 years of development, aims to strengthen commercial ties amid rising global protectionism. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen championed the deal as a way to increase the EU's global independence through more trading partners.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Brussels 40% France 50% European Commission 50% European Parliament ×260% Strasbourg ×260% European Court of Justice 60% Ursula von der Leyen ×265% Mercosur ×685% European Union ×490%

Keywords

mercosur trade agreement 100% eu lawmakers 80% legal concerns 70% ratification 60% european court of justice 60% trade tensions 50% free trade agreement 50% ursula von der leyen 40%