EU-Mexico relations: Council endorses agreements to boost cooperation and trade
The Council today adopted two decisions authorising the signing of the EU-Mexico Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement (the Modernised Global Agreement, MGA) and of the interim Trade Agreement (iTA) between the EU and Mexico.
These agreements mark a major step in modernising the EU’s partnership with Mexico, replacing the current framework established in 2000 and reflecting the evolution of bilateral relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Together, they aim to strengthen political dialogue, deepen cooperation and boost sustainable trade and investment between the EU and Mexico. They will notably benefit more than 45 thousand EU companies exporting to Mexico, the vast majority of which are SMEs.
The two agreements will require the consent of the European Parliament before they can be formally concluded by the Council. Ratification by all EU member states will also be needed for the MGA to fully enter into force.
Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement (MGA)
The MGA establishes a modern, comprehensive and legally binding framework for EU-Mexico relations, covering political dialogue, cooperation and trade and investment.
The agreement strengthens the strategic partnership between the parties by enhancing cooperation across a wide range of areas, including security, justice, sustainable development, climate change, digital transformation and human rights. The agreement reaffirms shared values such as democracy, the rule of law, multilateralism and the protection of fundamental rights as essential elements of the partnership. It also provides for regular high-level dialogue on human rights, security and justice, as well as measures to prevent and combat corruption.
The MGA introduces updated institutional structures to oversee its implementation, including a Joint Council and specialised committees, and provides for enhanced engagement with civil society and its involvement in the implementation of the deal.
Given its mixed nature, the MGA will require ratification by all EU member states, as well as the EU and Mexico. Pending its entry into force, parts of the agreement relating to political dialogue and cooperation may be applied provisionally.
Interim trade agreement
The iTA covers the trade and investment liberalisation aspects of the modernised partnership and will function as a stand-alone agreement until the full MGA enters into force. Its objective is to deliver the economic benefits of the negotiated trade commitments as early as possible. The iTA will benefit more than 45 thousand EU companies exporting to Mexico, the vast majority of which are SMEs.
The interim agreement establishes a modern and comprehensive framework for EU-Mexico trade relations, building on the existing trade provisions of the current agreement. The iTA is expected to significantly boost market access by removing most remaining customs duties, improving access to public procurement markets and opening up services and investment opportunities. In particular, it will eliminate high tariffs on key EU exports, notably agri-food products, and improve conditions for sectors such as machinery, pharmaceuticals and transport equipment. It will also ensure the protection of hundreds of European geographical indications, safeguarding distinctive regional food and drink products on the Mexican market.
The agreement enhances cooperation on critical raw materials and includes advanced rules on customs and trade facilitation, intellectual property protection, public procurement, digital trade and competition, as well as provisions ensuring a level playing field between EU and Mexican companies. It also contains a robust chapter on trade and sustainable development, with binding commitments on labour rights, environmental protection and climate action, alongside mechanisms for civil society participation.
The iTA falls within the EU’s exclusive competence and therefore does not require ratification by individual EU member states. It will cease to apply once the MGA enters into force.
Next steps
Following today’s decisions, the EU and Mexico will proceed to the formal signing of both agreements – expected to take place during the EU-Mexico summit on 22 May 2026. The European Parliament will be asked to give its consent before the agreements can be formally concluded.
The MGA will fully enter into force once all EU member states and Mexico have completed ratification. The iTA will remain in effect until it is superseded by the entry into force of the full partnership agreement.
Background
Relations between the EU and Mexico are currently governed by the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement (the “Global Agreement”), which entered into force in 2000.
In 2016, the Council authorised the opening of negotiations to modernise this framework in order to reflect evolving global economic and political realities. Negotiations were concluded on 17 January 2025.
Mexico is the EU’s second-largest trading partner in Latin America, while the EU is Mexico’s third-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade is already substantial, amounting to over €82 billion in goods (2024) and nearly €26 billion in services (2023). Since 2013, EU-Mexico trade in goods and services grew by over 88% and 158%, respectively.
