France is voicing notable concerns regarding the proposed free trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur nations – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. As of January 8,2026,the French government believes the current draft doesn’t adequately address their agricultural interests,with Minister Delegate for Europe,Benjamin Haddad,stating,the account is not ther
. This signals a potential roadblock in finalizing a deal that has been years in the making.
Negotiations surrounding this trade agreement have been complex, and while improvements have been made to benefit European farmers, France maintains that further adjustments are necessary. Haddad emphasized on France 2 that the fight for fairer terms will continue, even as agricultural ministers from the 27 EU member states convene in Brussels to discuss the matter.
The European Commission is considering signing the agreement as early as January 12, despite facing resistance from various farming groups across the EU. In an attempt to ease tensions, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed accelerating the release of €45 billion from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget, initially slated for 2028. This move aims to provide financial support to farmers perhaps impacted by increased competition.
The Fate of the EU-Mercosur Agreement Hangs in the Balance
Approval of the EU-Mercosur agreement requires a qualified majority vote from European states, scheduled for Friday in Brussels. Currently, France, Poland, and Hungary appear unlikely to support the deal without further concessions, as Germany and Spain are strong proponents.However, Haddad points out that the debate will extend for months within the European Parliament, offering opportunities to influence the final text.
Key concessions already secured include the proposed CAP budget extension and a robust
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