• French objections and protests threaten the EU-Mercosur trade deal, creating uncertainty.
• The agreement aims to reduce tariffs between the EU and South American Mercosur countries.
• Call for stronger agricultural safeguards reflects broader concerns among European farmers.
• Political implications could hinder the EU's credibility on global trade.
• Protests in Brussels planned as EU leaders discuss the trade agreement this week.

France's last-minute opposition and mounting protests from farmers are jeopardizing the long-awaited free-trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. This deal, over 25 years in the making, aims to gradually eliminate duties on most goods traded between the two blocs over a 15-year period. However, objections from nations such as France, which are concerned about competition from cheaper imports, have raised doubts about whether the agreement can be finalized this year, according to Source1 and Source2.

Amid rising angst among farmers fearing an influx of less expensive agricultural imports, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu labeled the current trade deal “unacceptable.” France is advocating for “mirror clauses” to ensure that Mercosur producers adhere to the same rigorous standards enforced for EU farmers. Without satisfactory amendments to the agreement, France is potentially looking to stall ratification until 2026 or later, highlighting concerns about food safety, environmental standards, and the impact on local agriculture, according to Source3 and Source2.

Currently, there is widespread dissent among several EU member states against the deal. Countries like Poland, Austria, and Ireland are voicing their support for France’s call to modify the agreement, reinforcing a collective stance that may hinder its ratification. This aligns with concerns over agricultural competitiveness and environmental impacts, particularly regarding deforestation linked to increased beef exports from Brazil, which has raised alarms among EU environmentalists as well, according to Source1 and Source2.

The European Commission has proposed several safeguards to mitigate concerns, including allowing investigations into Mercosur imports if they are priced significantly lower than EU products. However, these measures have not sufficiently alleviated fears among French farmers and political leaders about the deal's potential impacts on local agriculture. The proposed signing of the deal in Brazil later this month now hangs in the balance as protests from farmers are expected to escalate if their demands are not addressed, according to Source3.