On May 22, 2026, at the National Palace in Mexico City, during the VIII Mexico-European Union Summit, President Claudia Sheinbaum and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen – with the presence of the President of the European Council, António Costa, as witness – signed the Modernized Global Agreement (MGA). At the same event, Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard and European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič signed the Interim Trade Agreement (ITA), which is already in force.
What distinguishes this agreement from its 2000 predecessor is legally significant: the European Commission officially confirmed that the AGM incorporates, for the first time, legally binding commitments on labor rights and responsible business conduct, backed by a dispute settlement mechanism to make them enforceable and a monitoring scheme involving independent experts and civil society.
This means that labor practices within companies – and throughout their supply chains – acquire a new dimension of legal and commercial risk in the bilateral relationship with the European Union. The scope of these obligations is not limited to companies directly linked to bilateral trade: it extends to their supply networks.
The review of contracts, internal labor policies and supply schemes is a task that should be initiated before the final text is published and the deadlines for compliance begin to run.
Vega, Guerrero & Asociados has a specialized practice in international trade and labor law with a focus on the bilateral relationship between Mexico and the European Union. Companies with commercial ties with Europe can contact us for a preventive diagnosis.
Note: the articulated text of the AGM and ICA has not yet been officially published. Vega, Guerrero & Asociados is monitoring its publication to provide a detailed analysis as soon as it becomes available.
MODERNIZED GLOBAL AGREEMENT (MGA)
Claudia Sheinbaum & Ursula von der LeyenPresident of Mexico – President of the European Commission.
INTERIM TRADE AGREEMENT (ACI)
Marcelo Ebrard & Maroš ŠefčovičSecretary for Economic Affairs – Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, EU
LETTER OF INTENT – POLITICAL AND STRATEGIC DIALOGUE
Roberto Velasco & Kaja KallasSecretary for Foreign Affairs – EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs
WITNESS
António CostaPresident of the European Council
