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16h ago

Macron Vows France Will Vote Down EU–Mercosur Deal as Tractor Protests Hit Paris

A decisive member‑state vote now looms, with Ireland opposed, Italy edging toward support following new farm safeguards from Brussels.

French farmers park their tractor in front of the Arc de Triomphe to protest against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries but also EU farming policy or mass cull of cows ordered to contain the spread of a skin disease Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
French farmers protest at the Arc de Triomphe against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries but also against EU farming policy or mass cull of cows ordered to contain the spread of a skin disease, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 in Paris. Poster reads: EU kills. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
A mannequin hangs from a tractor as farmers protest at the Arc de Triomphe against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries but also against EU farming policy or mass cull of cows ordered to contain the spread of a skin disease, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 in Paris. Poster at right reads: Mercosur, death for sure. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
A poster on a tractor reads 'Mercosur, death for sure' as farmers protest at the Arc de Triomphe against the Mercosur trade alliance with South America countries but also against EU farming policy or mass cull of cows ordered to contain the spread of a skin disease, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 in Paris. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)

Overview

  • About a hundred tractors drove toward Paris before dawn, with roughly 20 reaching areas around the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower after convoys forced police checkpoints, the Interior Ministry said.
  • President Emmanuel Macron said on X that France will vote against the agreement, calling it a deal “from another era” despite recent additions such as safeguard clauses.
  • Ireland confirmed it will vote no, arguing the concessions do not ensure parity on environmental and food standards for Irish farmers.
  • Italy signaled it could back the pact after the European Commission offered tighter import safeguards and earlier access to up to €45 billion in farm funds, making Rome’s stance potentially decisive under EU qualified‑majority rules.
  • France separately formalised a ban on food imports containing traces of five pesticides prohibited in the EU, a measure scheduled for European Commission review on January 20.