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EU likely to delay free-trade deal with South America as French farmers block roads
France demands stronger safeguard clauses, equal production standards, and import controls to protect EU farmers from Mercosur competition before approving the trade deal.
- With a signing set for Dec. 20, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces likely delay as French farmers block roads, threatening the Mercosur deal in Brazil.
- Facing pressure from farmers, France insists on three conditions including robust safeguard clauses before accepting the deal, as farmers and Poland fear Mercosur imports could undercut EU products.
- Tractor blockades and makeshift barricades showed farmers blocking the RN12 highway near Paris with potatoes, tires and straw as up to 10,000 plan to protest in Brussels during the summit.
- With member‑state approval pending, European Parliament voted 431 to advance the deal, but von der Leyen still needs two‑thirds of EU member states to back signing.
- If ratified, the EU‑Mercosur agreement would cover a market of 780 million people and impact European agricultural exporters who shipped 235.4 billion euros in 2024.
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Signing Mercosur deal is now 'imperative', Commissioner Hoekstra says
In an exclusive interview, European Commissioner for Climate Wopke Hoekstra said signing the Mercosur trade agreement is essential. Rome and Paris, however, are seeking to delay a crucial vote that could push or kill the deal.
·France
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Paris continues to reject the planned free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur states and calls for a postponement. Ursula Von der Leyen has planned to fly away on 20 December to sign it in Brazil. But before, it must obtain the green light of the Twenty-Seven.
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Total News Sources107
Leaning Left13Leaning Right10Center20Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
47% Center
L 30%
C 47%
R 23%
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