Chambers Ireland Backs Provisional Application as Uruguay Moves on EU–Mercosur Deal

26 February 2026

Chambers Ireland has welcomed today’s decision by Uruguay to ratify the EU–Mercosur Trade Agreement. The Agreement, finalised in January after more than two decades of negotiation, creates one of the world’s largest free trade areas and significantly reduces tariffs on bilateral trade.

Chief Executive Ian Talbot said the EU should now provisionally apply the Agreement:

“Uruguay’s commitment to ratifying the Agreement demonstrates real leadership and acknowledgement of the benefits of free trade.

The EU must show the same leadership and prepare for provisional application. This approach has worked remarkably well under CETA, the EU-Canada agreement, which has enabled significant benefits to flow to businesses including agriculture while full ratification continues.

There are substantial opportunities for businesses and consumers if the Agreement is implemented. Given current, continued geopolitical uncertainty any further unnecessary delays would be untenable for both the EU and Ireland.”

Speaking on concerns around agriculture, Mr. Talbot added:

“Continued fears of a significant impact on certain agriculture sub-sectors are unfounded. Concerns raised over the past twenty years have been comprehensively addressed during the extensive negotiations. It is now time that all stakeholders in the economy positively communicate the compromises reached, the concessions obtained, facilitate acceptance and move decisively to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Agreement.”

He concluded:

“It is essential that the benefits are fully understood. We continue to call on Government to commission an independent review of the negotiated concessions, additional safeguards and supports for sensitive sectors that have been achieved since the Programme for Government was agreed.”

– Ends –

For more information contact publicaffairs@chambers.ie