On 6 July 2026, the European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the Interim Agreement on Trade between the European Union and Mexico, following a recommendation from the Committee on International Trade (INTA). The consent, adopted with 29 votes in favour, 8 against, and 2 abstentions in committee, marks the final step before the Council can adopt the decision, paving the way for the agreement to enter into force. The deal updates the trade framework between the EU and Mexico, covering tariff reductions, market access, and investment protections, and is expected to boost bilateral trade flows.
The recommendation, drafted by rapporteur Borja Giménez Larraz (appointed 24 September 2025), was approved by INTA on 6 July 2026. The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) also endorsed the conclusion on 29 June 2026. The legal basis for the agreement includes Articles 91(1), 100(2), and 207(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, with the consent procedure under Article 218(6). The Parliament's approval is the final institutional step required before the Council can formally adopt the decision.
A minority of MEPs—including Manon Aubry, Marina Mesure, and Marc Botenga (The Left)—opposed the deal, arguing that it grants corporations the right to sue states through investor-state dispute settlement, facilitates industry relocation to Mexico, and that over 95% of EU-Mexico goods trade is already tariff-free, limiting the agreement's tangible benefits. They warned that the deal prioritises corporate interests over workers' rights and environmental protections. The majority, however, viewed the agreement as a modernisation of trade relations that will create new opportunities for EU exporters and strengthen economic ties with a key Latin American partner.
The consent clears the way for the Council to adopt the decision, after which the agreement can be provisionally applied pending ratification by all EU member states. The deal is expected to benefit EU exporters in sectors such as automotive, machinery, and agri-food, while Mexican exporters gain improved access to the EU market. Critics, however, point to potential job displacement in EU industries facing increased competition and the risk of regulatory divergence on labour and environmental standards.
70