Overview

• The European Commission plans to adopt the EU-Mercosur trade agreement by June 30 despite strong resistance from Paris
• President Emmanuel Macron has declared the deal unacceptable in its current form and demands additional safeguard clauses to protect key farm sectors
• Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard says she has rallied Poland, Hungary, Austria and others to help form a blocking minority exceeding 35% of the EU population
• EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen maintains that existing protections sufficiently shield European farmers from competition by Mercosur imports
• Final approval requires a qualified-majority vote in the EU Council, making the outcome dependent on whether France secures enough vetoes or abstentions