France Leads Opposition to EU-Mercosur Trade Deal Over Agriculture and Environment Concerns

As EU negotiators aim to finalize the deal by December, France struggles to gather enough support to block the agreement.

France, led by Trade Minister Sophie Primas, is lobbying EU member states to oppose the EU-Mercosur trade deal, citing risks to European agriculture and insufficient environmental guarantees.
The trade agreement, involving Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, has been under negotiation for years and aims to create a significant market between the regions.
France faces difficulty securing a blocking minority within the EU, with countries like Germany, Spain, and Sweden supporting the deal, while others like Poland and Austria remain cautious.
Critics argue that the deal could undermine European farming standards, while proponents highlight its potential to boost EU exports and strengthen economic ties amid global trade tensions.
The agreement includes provisions on environmental and social standards, but divisions within the EU persist as the December deadline approaches for a potential signing.