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5h ago

France Hardens Stance on EU–Mercosur Deal, Deepening Ratification Uncertainty

Paris says the current text lacks enforceable safeguards for farmers.

Una de las protestas de agricultores franceses al norte de París.
Paris (France), 14/10/2025.- French farmers with tractors take part in a protest against the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement, on Esplanade des Invalides, in Paris, France, 14 October 2025. The French farmers' union 'Confederation Paysanne' called for a mobilization in Paris to demand fair and regulated international trade, denouncing free trade agreements (EU-Mercosur, EU-Mexico) that threaten farmers' incomes, human rights, biodiversity, and food sovereignty. (Protestas, Francia) EFE/EPA/MOHAMMED BADRA
El 85% de las exportaciones argentinas a la UE corresponden a productos agroindustriales, principalmente complejos de soja, maíz, carne y biodiésel.
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Overview

  • French agriculture minister Annie Genevard said France will not sign the agreement in its present form, demanding a written agricultural safeguard, mirror sanitary and environmental standards, and tighter border controls.
  • Her position contrasts with President Emmanuel Macron’s recent comments that he was quite positive about approval, drawing a rebuke from farm union FNSEA, whose leader labeled the shift a complete betrayal.
  • The pact was adopted by the European Commission on September 3, 2025, but entry into force still requires approval by all 27 EU countries, and France could try to assemble a blocking minority with other skeptical states such as Austria and Ireland.
  • A separate Commission proposal to operationalize agricultural safeguards has been rejected by more than 40 Argentine agroindustrial groups, who argue it would arbitrarily limit exports, lowers triggers to roughly a 10% import rise or price drop, and departs from the negotiated text and WTO practice.
  • Mercosur leaders have pushed for a possible signing at a December summit in Rio, but the timetable remains uncertain as EU internal objections and disputes over safeguard rules persist.