The European Union will provisionally apply a contentious free trade agreement with South American bloc Mercosur to ensure the bloc secures first-mover advantage, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday (February 27).

The European Commission concluded its largest ever trade pact in terms of tariff reductions with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay after 25 years of negotiations.

The EU executive has said it will remove some 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) of duties on EU exports.

Germany and other supporters such as Spain say the deal is essential to offset business lost due to U.S. tariffs and to reduce reliance on China for critical minerals.

Opponents led by France - the EU's largest agricultural producer - say the deal will sharply increase imports of cheap beef, sugar and poultry, undercutting domestic farmers who have staged repeated protests.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

EU fast-tracks contentious trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM VON DER LEYEN ON TRADE DEAL WITH MERCOSUR

RESENDING COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (FEBRUARY 27, 2026) (EUROPEAN UNION - Access all)

1. EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, WALKING IN

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"I've said before, when they are ready, we are ready; therefore, over the last weeks, I have discussed this intensively with member states and with members of the European Parliament. On that basis, the Commission will now proceed with provisional application -- provisional application is, by its nature, provisional. It is right there in the name in line with the EU treaties. The agreement can only be fully concluded once the European Parliament has given its consent. So the Commission will continue to work closely with all EU institutions, Member states and stakeholders to ensure a smooth and transparent process."

3. WHITE FLASH

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT, URSULA VON DER LEYEN, SAYING:

"Mercosur is one of the most consequential trade agreements of the first half of this century. It is a platform of deep political engagement with partners who see the world as we do and who believe in openness and partnership and good faith; partners who understand that open and rules-based trade delivers positive results for all, and Mercosur embodies the spirit in which Europe is acting on the global scene. Europe is getting stronger and more independent. Our businesses, our workers and our citizens will reap the benefits, and they should reap them as soon as possible. This is about resilience. This is about growth and Europe shaping its own future."

5. VON DER LEYEN LEAVING