Mercosur • Table.Briefings

News | Free trade agreement

March 6th, 2026

Mercosur: Council votes in favor of protective measures for farmers

The clauses can now be published in the Official Journal of the EU and enter into force.

By Antonia Zimmermann

Talk of the Town | EVP

February 2nd, 2026

EPP: EU member states should provide military help to each other

At its Leaders’ Retreat in Zagreb, the European People’s Party (EPP) decided to strengthen military cohesion within the European Union. The group’s leader, Manfred Weber, has been tasked with developing a concept for an expanded defense union.

By Markus Grabitz

News | EVP

February 2nd, 2026

EPP: EU member states should provide military help to each other

At its Leaders’ Retreat in Zagreb, the European People’s Party (EPP) decided to strengthen military cohesion within the European Union. The group’s leader, Manfred Weber, has been tasked with developing a concept for an expanded defense union.

By Markus Grabitz

News | Mercosur

January 23rd, 2026

Mercosur: Costa calls for provisional application of the trade agreement

The Commission can provisionally apply the Mercosur agreement as soon as at least one Mercosur state ratifies it.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Friedrich Merz empfängt Giorgia Meloni im Kanzleramt

News | European policy

January 23rd, 2026

German–Italian government consultations: Why Merz prefers Meloni to Macron

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz often seeks to close ranks with Italy’s head of government Giorgia Meloni, including on defense policy. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius will meet his Italian counterpart on Friday.

By Till Hoppe, Almut Siefert and Wilhelmine Stenglin

Talk of the Town | Mercosur

January 22nd, 2026

Mercosur: Why provisional application is now being discussed

By a narrow majority, the European Parliament has referred the EU-Mercosur trade deal to the European Court of Justice. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is now calling for its provisional application. Bernd Lange believes that there would be a majority for this in Parliament.

By Markus Grabitz and János Allenbach-Ammann

Feature | European policy

January 22nd, 2026

European Council: Why Merz prefers Meloni to Macron

Whether in response to Trump, the Mercosur agreement or the ban on combustion engines: The German chancellor often seeks to close ranks with Italy’s prime minister. His relationship with the French president, on the other hand, has cooled

By Till Hoppe and Almut Siefert

News | Mercosur

January 19th, 2026

Mercosur: Uncertainty about provisional application

The trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur states has been signed. However, there is disagreement over how soon provisional application can take effect.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Feature | Mercosur

January 16th, 2026

Mercosur: Agreement could soon be implemented despite slim parliamentary majorities

When Parliament votes next week on delaying Mercosur ratification, every vote will count. Nevertheless, the agreement could soon be provisionally implemented.

By János Allenbach-Ammann

Opinion | Circular economy

January 14th, 2026

EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement: Geopolitics over Circularity?

The trade agreement between the EU and Mercosur fails to systematically integrate circular economy principles. Yet this is precisely what the new geopolitical reality requires. The EU’s planned Circular Economy Act could also suffer as a result.

By Tom Voege