The trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur countries will provisionally enter into force on 1 May, the European Commission announced this Monday, the 23rd. The Commission stated it has completed the final formal step required for provisional application by sending a note verbale to Paraguay, which currently holds the Mercosur presidency. The agreement will apply to all Mercosur nations that complete ratification and notify the EU by the end of March. The Commission highlights that this provisional application will eliminate tariffs on certain products, create predictable trade rules, and strengthen collaboration on labour rights and climate change, while ensuring sensitive EU economic sectors remain protected by robust safeguards.