European lawmakers suspend Mercosur deal days after signing

The European Parliament has frozen the EU–Mercosur trade agreement signed in Paraguay last week, backing a resolution to seek an opinion from the Court of Justice of the European Union on whether the deal complies with EU treaties.

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted on Wednesday to request a judicial review of whether the agreement can be applied before full ratification by all member states and whether its provisions limit the EU’s ability to set environmental and consumer health standards. The motion was put forward by a group of 144 lawmakers.

Following the vote, European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said the Commission “regretted the decision.”

“The Commission regrets this decision by the European Parliament. According to our analysis, the questions raised are not justified, as the Commission has already addressed them in great detail,” Gill said. “At present, the Commission wants to continue discussions with MEPs and explain why it supports the agreement.”

A ruling by the Court of Justice could take up to two years, potentially delaying or derailing the trade deal.

Opponents argue the agreement would increase imports of cheap beef, sugar and poultry, undercutting EU farmers.