French lawmakers stand united against EU-Mercosur trade deal

French Lawmakers Unanimously Opposed to the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal

France’s National Assembly has voted unanimously in favor of a resolution urging the government to reject the free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc, which includes Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The motion reflects cross-party concerns over environmental and agricultural standards.

Background of the Deal

Negotiations over the EU-Mercosur trade pact have been ongoing for more than 20 years. The agreement aims to create one of the world’s largest free trade zones, but it has faced significant criticism in France. Lawmakers argue that the deal, in its current form, could harm European farmers and undermine the EU’s climate commitments.

Environmental and Agricultural Concerns

Many French parliamentarians have voiced fears that the agreement would open European markets to agricultural products that do not meet EU environmental or animal welfare standards. They have also warned that increased deforestation in the Amazon could be an indirect consequence of intensifying exports from South American producers.

Quoting one MP during the debate:

"We cannot defend European farmers and our environmental commitments while ratifying a deal that encourages unfair competition and ecological harm."

Government Position and Next Steps

While the French government has already expressed reservations about the deal, the parliamentary vote strengthens its mandate to oppose ratification at the EU level. President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly linked France’s approval of such agreements to guarantees on environmental and sanitary standards.

The European Commission continues to seek common ground with Mercosur countries, including additional environmental safeguards, but France’s position makes ratification unlikely in its current form.

Author’s summary: French lawmakers across all parties unanimously rejected the EU-Mercosur deal, citing threats to farmers, unfair trade, and environmental concerns.

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RFI RFI — 2025-11-27

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