Council gives final approval to the EU-Mexico trade agreement

Brussels – The Council of the European Union adopted today (14 July) the decision to formally conclude the Interim  Agreement on Trade (ITA) between the European Union and Mexico, following the signing of the agreement on 22 May 2026 during the EU-Mexico summit and the consent given by the European Parliament in plenary session on 8 July 2026. This decision concludes the EU’s internal process for the ITA and confirms that the EU has completed the internal procedures necessary for the agreement to enter into force.

 The Council said the ITA modernises the trade pillar of the EU-Mexico Global Agreement (MGA), providing “an updated framework for trade and investment between the two partners.” It is expected to benefit more than 45 thousand EU companies exporting to Mexico, the vast majority of which are SMEs.

 “The agreement will improve market access by eliminating most remaining customs duties, expanding opportunities for services, investment and public procurement, and reducing barriers to trade,” the Council added. “It also strengthens the protection of European geographical indications and enhances cooperation on digital trade, intellectual property, customs and trade facilitation, competition and critical raw materials,” the Council noted.  As the ITA falls within the exclusive competence of the EU, it does not require ratification by individual Member States.

The ITA will enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the EU and Mexico have notified each other of the completion of their respective internal procedures. Mexico is expected to complete its internal ratification process after the summer. “Following the exchange of these notifications, a two-month period will allow operators to prepare for the application of the new agreement. The ITA will function as a stand-alone agreement and will cease to apply once the full EU-Mexico Modernised Global Agreement enters into force,” the Council of the EU concluded.