French farmers staged large-scale protests in Paris on Thursday, driving tractors into the city centre and blocking key roads near landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. The demonstrations were organised to oppose the proposed EU–Mercosur trade agreement, which farmers say will expose them to unfair competition from cheaper agricultural imports from South America.
The protest was led by the Coordination Rurale farmers’ union, with tractors breaching police checkpoints in the early morning hours. Farmers also gathered outside the French parliament, voicing anger over what they described as abandonment by political leaders. Authorities warned that blocking roads and attempting to protest near parliament was illegal, deploying a heavy police presence across the capital.
EU member states are set to vote on the trade deal, which involves Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Supporters argue it would create a vast common market of nearly 800 million people and boost European exports such as vehicles, machinery, and wine. However, farmers across Europe fear that increased imports of beef, sugar, ethanol and other products could undercut local producers.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that France will vote against the agreement, citing strong political opposition at home. Despite this, analysts believe the deal is likely to pass due to backing from major EU countries and recent concessions aimed at protecting European farmers, including additional funding and import limits.
If approved by a qualified majority of EU states, the agreement would mark the end of decades-long negotiations and reshape trade relations between Europe and South America, even as farmer opposition continues to grow.