German MEP, Manfred Weber has described the EU-Mercosur trade deal as an "anti-Trump agreement" at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today (Wednesday, February 11).

He was speaking to the parliament after an address by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to members.

Weber was critical of the recent decision by the majority of MEPs to refer the EU Mercosur Partnership Agreement and trade deal to the European Courts of Justice for an opinion on whether it complies with EU treaties.

Weber said it was a "political mistake" (translated) to refer the deal to the courts, delaying a vote on the overall agreement by up to two years.

"You should vote. You shouldn't just simply refer it to the courts of justice," he said.

"Mercosur could be considered an anti-Trump agreement. When [Donald] Trump wants to close markets down, we want to open them up and the EPP calls for the immediate implementation of Mercosur.

"We have decided on safeguards; now it is time to implement."

Weber criticised French president Emmanuel Macron's comments about wanting a "strong Europe" which is "strong on world markets", yet at the same time stating that the Mercosur deal is not necessary.

"I simply don't understand this position," the German MEP said.

"If you want political progress you have to deal with South America."

Mercosur is expected to remove duties on 91% of EU exports over a period of 10 years for most products. 

It will allow 99,000t of Mercosur beef to enter the EU market with a 7.5% duty.

Yesterday, the European Parliament backed new safeguards for farmers that will be built into the EU-Mercosur deal if the trade agreement comes into force in the future.

Von der Leyen on trade

Ursula von der Leyen was speaking to the parliament on a debate titled 'Urgent actions to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the EU single market and reduce the cost of living - from the Draghi report to reality'.

She said: "Our power on the global stage depends greatly on our strength on the economic front."

"We must be laser focused on opening growth opportunities and new markets to our companies.

"We need more rules-based, reliable trade with like-minded partners."

The president referenced trade deals which are currently in the making with countries such as Australia, Thailand, the Philippines and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"We have the second largest economy in the world but we are driving it with the handbrake on," she added.

"We need single minded focus on the single market, and we need to tear down barriers one by one."