BRUSSELS — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Friday that the EU will provisionally implement its trade deal with the South American Mercosur bloc. This decision is expected to spark significant backlash from European capitals and lawmakers who oppose the deal.
The agreement aims to create a free-trade area for 720 million people but is contentious since the European Parliament has yet to officially approve it. Last month, lawmakers decided to refer the deal for review by the Court of Justice of the European Union, effectively delaying its final ratification for up to two years.
Implementing the deal may intensify opposition in the European Parliament, frustrate skeptical countries such as France and Poland, and potentially jeopardize the agreement during a future consent vote.
In January, the European Commission received approval from EU countries to implement the deal once Mercosur countries complete their own processes. Argentina and Uruguay ratified the agreement on Thursday.
This is a developing story.
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