"The provisional application of the trade section of the EU-Mercosur agreement is good news for the European economy and for the German automotive industry. In times of rising protectionism worldwide, the EU Commission is sending the right signal for global and fair trade.

The potential of the EU-Mercosur agreement is enormous – making it all the more important that it is finally realized. The agreement's significance for the German and European automotive industries lies, among other things, in the reduction of Mercosur's currently relatively high tariffs of 14 to 18% on automotive parts and even 35% on passenger cars. At the same time, the EU's tariff reductions will open up new opportunities for exporters in Mercosur and strengthen the local economy.

It is important that the agreement can soon enter into formal force. The European Court of Justice must therefore review it quickly, and the European Parliament must give its final approval."