Overview

• The French National Assembly voted overwhelmingly, 484 to 70, against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, sending a clear message of disapproval to Brussels.
• The proposed deal, which would create a massive trade bloc between the EU and South American countries, has faced criticism for its potential impact on agriculture and environmental standards.
• French lawmakers across the political spectrum expressed concerns about lower-quality imports and unfair competition for European farmers, particularly regarding Brazilian beef.
• Agricultural protests have intensified in France, with unions like FNSEA and Coordination Rurale staging demonstrations against the agreement.
• France is working to rally other EU nations, including Italy and Poland, to block the deal, though opposition still falls short of the threshold needed to veto the agreement outright.