On Tuesday 10 December, the European Commission published online the texts of the EU/Mercosur trade agreement and its changes compared with the 2019 version.
Revision clause. These changes include a revision clause for the agreement. This “will provide a possibility for the parties to negotiate amendments on the elements of their interest”, after three years of implementation.
Geographical indications. In addition to the elements already detailed by Agence Europe (see EUROPE 13540/1), there is also an addition concerning the protection of geographical indications (GIs). More than 340 European GIs will be protected in the Mercosur countries, with some flexibility granted.
Raw materials. While the EU has obtained tariff-free access for certain Brazilian raw materials (nickel, copper, aluminium, steelmaking raw materials, steel and titanium), Brasilia wants to maintain the possibility of imposing export restrictions on others.
In such a case, the Commission has negotiated preferences of at least 50% on any export tax that Brazil introduces on these products, as well as a 25% ceiling on the tariffs that could potentially be introduced.
Access to public procurement. In response to another request from the Brazilian President, the EU has agreed to allow Brazil some flexibility in the timetable for opening up public procurement. In exchange, the dedicated chapter will have to cover more public procurement in this country than was planned for 2019.
The health sector is excluded from the chapter on public procurement in the EU and Brazil.
See a summary of the additions: https://aeur.eu/f/eqn and the full texts: https://aeur.eu/f/eqo
Motion of censure in European Parliament. The Left Group in the European Parliament believes that the conclusion of negotiations on the EU/Mercosur trade agreement on 6 December (see EUROPE 13540/1) is an institutional power grab by the European Commission.
This is why, on Tuesday 10 December, the Group tabled a motion of censure against the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and her College. This approach is in line with Article 234 of the TFEU, which allows Parliament to pass a motion of censure. This must be signed by at least 72 MEPs to go any further. If it is subsequently adopted by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, the members of the Commission must resign their positions. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)