France Urges EU to Postpone Mercosur Trade Pact Signing Over Agricultural Concerns.
France has called on the European Union to delay the signing of the free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc—comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay—citing concerns over inadequate protections for European agriculture.
In a statement from Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s office, Paris said the current conditions were insufficient for EU member states to vote on the agreement. “France asks that the deadlines be pushed back to continue work on getting the legitimate measures of protection for our European agriculture,” the statement read.
France’s Finance Minister Roland Lescure clarified the objections, highlighting three key demands before approval: robust safeguard clauses, adherence to EU production standards, and import controls. “Until we have obtained assurances on these points, France will not accept the agreement,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to meet Brazilian officials on Monday to finalize the pact, but approval from EU member states is required first. A vote in the European Parliament on safeguard measures is expected Tuesday.
If ratified, the EU-Mercosur agreement would create a common market of 722 million people, facilitating EU exports of cars, machinery, and wine while allowing Mercosur goods like beef, poultry, and sugar into the EU. French farmers and others argue that unequal standards could threaten domestic agriculture.
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