
EU Agriculture Ministers Race Against the Clock on Mercosur Deal
The trade agreement is set to be signed on January 12th after a December pause triggered by protests in Brussels.

The trade agreement is set to be signed on January 12th after a December pause triggered by protests in Brussels.

The French government moves to block certain imported fruits in order to safeguard supply chains, protect consumers, and support local farmers.

Farmers’ representatives await a letter from Prime Minister Lecornu outlining the government’s responses to agricultural issues

The fierce protest by farmers and livestock producers in Brussels delivered an unexpected result: a last-minute delay to the EU–Mercosur agreement.

Mercosur and the Green Deal have become the symbols of fierce citizen discontent.

The demonstration coincides with an EU Council summit and comes hours before Ursula von der Leyen travels to Brazil for talks linked to the Mercosur agreement.

France forced a last-minute shift in Brussels under domestic pressure, preventing the agreement from derailing in its final stage.

The proposed trade agreement between Latin America and Europe faces resistance in France—over fears of regulatory double standards and cheap agricultural products flooding the market.

Paris is pushing to postpone a December decision, arguing that key agricultural safeguards remain unfinished as EU leaders enter a week of high-stakes negotiations.

The EU is rushing to finalize the trade mega-deal and prove its competitiveness, countering Trump’s recent criticisms of a “weak” Europe.