French Farmers Protest Over EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

French farmers staged nationwide protests to begin the week, opposing the EU-Mercosur trade agreement.

The EU and Mercosur—comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia—initially reached a deal in 2019, but it has faced opposition from European governments and farmers, particularly in France. I Photo: Ursula von der Leyen X

They argue that the deal threatens their livelihoods by opening the door to South American agricultural imports produced under less stringent environmental standards, the Associated Press reported.

Protests included demonstrations at prefectures and traffic circles, though attendance remained modest.

On Sunday night, a group of farmers blocked a highway southwest of Paris with tractors, while others gathered on the N118 freeway near Velizy-Villacoublay. By late Monday morning, the tractors had departed.

The EU and Mercosur—comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia—initially reached a deal in 2019, but it has faced opposition from European governments and farmers, particularly in France.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called the agreement "unacceptable as it stands."

However, concerns are mounting that a partial deal could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil or shortly afterward, sidestepping French objections since France does not hold veto power over the agreement.