France will vote against the EU–Mercosur trade agreement at a crucial meeting in Brussels on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced, arguing that the deal offers limited economic benefits while posing significant risks to the agricultural sector.
In a post on X, Macron confirmed France’s position, stressing that the potential signing of the agreement “is not the end of the story.” He pledged to continue pressing for the full and concrete implementation of safeguards promised by the European Commission to protect European farmers.
“The economic benefits of the EU–Mercosur agreement will be limited for French and European growth,” Macron said, adding that his government would not support an accord that threatens domestic agriculture.
Broad Political Opposition in France
An official from the Élysée Palace stated that there is “unanimous political rejection” of the trade deal across France’s political spectrum. According to the official, the government concluded that the expected gains do not justify exposing agricultural sectors to increased competition from South American imports.
The agreement has faced long-standing opposition from French farmers, who fear an influx of cheaper agricultural products from Mercosur countries. On Thursday, tractors once again rolled into Paris, with farmers gathering near the National Assembly to protest the proposed deal.
EU-Level Uncertainty Ahead of Key Vote
France has welcomed recent efforts by the European Union to make the deal more acceptable, including stronger agricultural safeguards and additional funding pledges within the EU’s long-term budget. However, Paris emphasized that these measures are not yet finalized or legally binding.
Despite France’s opposition, the deal may still advance. Alongside Poland, France has been among the strongest critics of the agreement, but they may lack sufficient support to block it, particularly if Italy backs the deal.
To be approved, the agreement requires a qualified majority—at least 15 of the EU’s 27 member states, representing 65% of the EU’s population.
What Comes Next
An Élysée official suggested that the outcome of Friday’s vote is “quite clearly foreseeable,” indicating that France does not expect to form a blocking minority. If approved, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to travel to Paraguay next week to formally sign the agreement with Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, the other members of the Mercosur bloc.
France also insists that the deal should not be provisionally implemented until it receives formal approval from the European Parliament.
The EU–Mercosur agreement, negotiated over more than two decades, would create one of the world’s largest free-trade zones, covering over 700 million people, but remains deeply divisive within the European Union.
