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France Says No to Mercosur as Farmers Withdraw Tractors From Paris

France risks being outvoted in Brussels despite the pledge to reject the trade pact.

Overview

  • After reaching symbolic sites in the capital, Coordination rurale ordered a late‑night pullback and tractors left central Paris around 10 p.m.
  • The Interior Ministry counted 670 protesters and 109 tractors in Île‑de‑France, reported 11 arrests, about 60 fines, and roughly 20 tractors impounded, with detainees released Friday morning.
  • Regional disruptions persisted, with key routes in the Nord toward Belgium closed and coordinated actions continuing at border points.
  • Live reports on Friday morning noted new slow‑roll actions on the Paris ring road as unions kept pressure on the government.
  • Emmanuel Macron said France will vote against the EUMercosur deal, yet the agreement is still expected to pass by qualified majority, a stance unions deem insufficient given concerns over standards, pay, and disease‑related culling rules.