Overview
- EU ambassadors approved a reinforced safeguard clause for sensitive agricultural products, a French demand in the talks.
- France says the agreement remains unacceptable in its current form and will set a final position based on guarantees it deems credible.
- The European Commission is pushing for member‑state approval before the 20 December Mercosur summit, with a qualified‑majority vote possible in early December.
- Paris seeks mirror rules on pesticide bans and tougher border checks to protect sectors including beef, poultry, sugar, maize and ethanol.
- Farmer mobilization continues in France with large protests, Germany and Spain support ratification, and a subsequent European Parliament vote is expected to be close.