Particle.news
Download on the App Store

France Says EU-Mercosur Trade Pact Still Unacceptable as Brussels Seeks December Sign-Off

Paris conditions assent on enforceable safeguards, pesticide parity, tighter import checks.

Overview

  • Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said the deal remains unacceptable to France pending concrete guarantees on agricultural protections.
  • EU ambassadors approved reinforced safeguard clauses for sensitive farm products, which Paris insists must be easily activated in case of market disruption.
  • The European Commission is targeting member-state approval by around December 20, with a qualified-majority vote possibly coming in early December.
  • Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard acknowledged France has not secured a blocking minority and is still seeking allies as farmers continue to mobilise.
  • Germany and Spain back ratification to boost EU exporters, while European Parliament approval and a potential court referral sought by some MEPs could still test the accord.