EU likely to delay free-trade deal with South America as French farmers block roads
France demands stronger safeguard clauses, equal production standards, and import controls to protect EU farmers from Mercosur competition before approving the trade deal.
- With a signing set for Dec. 20, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces likely delay as French farmers block roads, threatening the Mercosur deal in Brazil.
- Facing pressure from farmers, France insists on three conditions including robust safeguard clauses before accepting the deal, as farmers and Poland fear Mercosur imports could undercut EU products.
- Tractor blockades and makeshift barricades showed farmers blocking the RN12 highway near Paris with potatoes, tires and straw as up to 10,000 plan to protest in Brussels during the summit.
- With member‑state approval pending, European Parliament voted 431 to advance the deal, but von der Leyen still needs two‑thirds of EU member states to back signing.
- If ratified, the EU‑Mercosur agreement would cover a market of 780 million people and impact European agricultural exporters who shipped 235.4 billion euros in 2024.
102 Articles
102 Articles
The free trade agreement with the Mercosur countries is the foreseeable last chance for the EU to take a position of strength in geopolitical terms, but Brussels shows a blatant weakness of leadership.
EU-Mercosur trade deal faces bumpy ride to finish line
Brussels is headed for a showdown this week over the European Union's free-trade deal with South American bloc Mercosur, after Paris launched a last-ditch effort to derail the signing of the landmark accord.
France delays signing of Mercosur trade deal (EWQ:NYSEARCA)
France requested a delay to a scheduled EU vote this week on the free-trade agreement with Mercosur countries—Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay—mainly due to insufficient protections for European agriculture.
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