The Council today adopted two decisions authorising the signature of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and of the Interim Trade Agreement (iTA) between the EU and Mercosur. Together, these agreements mark an important milestone in the EU’s long-standing relationship with Mercosur partners – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Once in force, they will establish a framework for political dialogue, cooperation and trade relations within a modernised and comprehensive partnership. The agreements will require the consent of the European Parliament before they can be formally concluded by...

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The Commission welcomes today's decision by EU Member States to introduce a €3 customs duty per item on e-commerce parcels valued below €150, starting in July 2026. The new duty will help protect the competitiveness of European businesses by levelling the playing field between e-commerce and traditional retail.   Given the rapid increase in e-commerce goods being imported into the EU, the Commission and Member States have together acknowledged the need for an urgent solution, which will bridge the gap until the setting up of the EU Customs Data Hub in 2028, as part of the EU customs reform.   The Council and the Commission are working to enable the implementation of...

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