Uruguay urges EU to ratify Mercosur trade deal or risk losing influence to China

Uruguay’s Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin told European officials in Brussels that the EU‑Mercosur trade agreement is a historic opportunity and urged the European Parliament to complete ratification. He noted that the four Mercosur members ratified the pact within two months – a first – and said the agreement entered provisional implementation on 1 May for Mercosur, while EU approval remains stalled pending a European Court of Justice opinion.

Lubetkin warned that a delay could let China expand its sway in Latin America, stating “if Europe rejects this agreement, the consequences will be much greater for Europe than for us.” He announced Uruguay, now holding the rotating Mercosur presidency, will host an EU‑Mercosur trade forum in December and is working with EU trade officials to deepen commercial ties even before full ratification.