French lawmakers unanimously reject EU-Mercosur trade agreement

Overview

France’s National Assembly has unanimously passed a resolution urging the government to reject the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Lawmakers expressed concerns about environmental issues, agricultural competition, and the impact on French farmers.

Lawmakers' Concerns

Members of Parliament argued that the deal contradicts the EU’s environmental commitments under the Paris Agreement. They maintained that increased imports of South American agricultural products, especially beef, would intensify deforestation and undermine European efforts to promote sustainable farming.

“This agreement would be a betrayal of our ecological standards and of our farmers,” several deputies stated during the assembly session.

Many representatives also emphasized the ethical inconsistency in allowing products into the EU market that are produced under environmental or labor conditions not aligned with European regulations.

Political Impact

The resolution, though non-binding, increases pressure on the French government ahead of further EU discussions on ratifying the deal. President Emmanuel Macron has previously signaled skepticism about the agreement, insisting that any trade deal must align with France’s climate and agricultural principles.

Background

Negotiations on the EU-Mercosur deal began over two decades ago and have faced repeated delays caused by disputes over environmental standards, trade balances, and political conditions within Mercosur countries.

Author Summary

French legislators have united in rejecting the EU-Mercosur trade deal, highlighting environmental concerns and protection of domestic agriculture as central reasons.

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RFI RFI — 2025-11-27

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