EU-Mercosur Trade Deal Postponed Amid Massive Farmer Protests and French Pressure

EU-Mercosur Trade Deal Faces Another Delay

The long-awaited EU-Mercosur trade deal—a pact in negotiation for more than two decades—has once again been postponed. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the signing of the agreement will be rescheduled for January, after facing mounting opposition from France and Italy.

The delay was confirmed during the European Council meeting in Brussels, where von der Leyen had sought support to approve the deal before year-end. Despite backing from countries like Germany and Spain, she was unable to gather the required majority.

“I remain confident that we can sign the deal in January,” von der Leyen stated, though analysts see growing obstacles on the road ahead.

Massive Farmer Mobilisation in Brussels

While leaders debated the merits of the pact in Brussels, thousands of farmers took to the streets outside the European Parliament. According to police estimates, over 7,000 demonstrators and nearly 1,000 tractors clogged the streets of the Belgian capital.

Farmers from France, Spain, and Poland denounced the deal as a threat to local agriculture, warning that cheaper imports from South America—produced under less stringent regulations—would create unfair competition.

The demonstrations turned tense later in the day, as protesters clashed with police. The French farming union FNSEA issued a strong statement:

“This delay is not enough. For us, Mercosur is still a firm NO.”

Their message was clear—European farmers are not planning to stand down until stronger protections are in place.

Macron Holds His “Red Line”

Addressing reporters after the summit, President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France’s position: the current version of the deal is unacceptable.

“It’s too early to say if we’ll agree in January,” Macron declared. “I hope so, but only if we secure real, concrete progress. The text must change in nature and include clear safeguards for our farmers.”

Macron’s demands reflect growing pressure from the French agricultural sector, which views the agreement as a direct threat to European food sovereignty and rural livelihoods.

Brazil and Italy Call for Patience

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva—who has championed the deal as a bridge between Europe and South America—appears willing to tolerate a short delay. After a conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Lula reportedly agreed to grant European leaders “a few more weeks” to align their domestic positions.

Despite Rome’s temporary hesitation, Meloni reiterated that Italy remains supportive of an eventual deal.

Why the EU-Mercosur Deal Matters

If finalized, the EU-Mercosur agreement would forge one of the world’s largest free trade zones, covering nearly 780 million people.

Benefits for the EU: Boosted exports of cars, machinery, wines, and spirits to Latin America.
Benefits for Mercosur nations: Wider access to the European market for agricultural products such as beef, sugar, rice, and soy.

However, critics argue the agreement could worsen deforestation in the Amazon, undermine Europe’s climate commitments, and destabilize rural economies. The environmental chapter of the deal remains one of the most contentious issues.

What’s Next?

The coming weeks will be crucial. Brussels hopes to finalize the deal in early 2026, but with growing resistance from key member states and strong opposition from farmers, that timeline is far from guaranteed.

For now, the EU’s hopes for a landmark international trade accord remain stalled by tractors and political pressure.