The European Union took a decisive step this Friday in one of the most controversial trade initiatives of recent years. After more than two decades of negotiations, the member states have provisionally given majority backing to the signing of the free trade agreement with Mercosur, the South American bloc made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. This EU-Mercosur agreement would create the world’s largest free trade agreement zone.
The decision was finalized at a meeting of ambassadors in Brussels, which authorized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to formally sign the treaty in the coming days, once the written procedure scheduled for this afternoon is completed. This green light comes despite opposition from several countries — including France, Poland, Hungary, Ireland, and Austria — which have argued that the deal poses risks to their farmers and local producers.
EU endorses Mercosur trade agreement amid farmers’ protests
Approval by qualified majority — meaning a minimum of 15 member states representing at least 65% of the EU population — places the European bloc on the brink of sealing what would be the largest trade agreement in its history in terms of tariff reduction.
The pact, still pending ratification by the European Parliament, will entail the elimination of a large share of tariffs with Mercosur, opening markets totaling more than 700 million consumers. Its supporters argue that it will strengthen European exports, diversify trade partners, and reduce the EU’s dependence on the United States and China.
The broad backing has not come easily or without tension. Within the EU, the debate has become polarized between governments that believe the treaty is vital for economic growth and trade alliances, and those warning of a devastating impact on already vulnerable sectors.
France has led the opposition, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing that his country will vote against the agreement, arguing that the economic benefits do not outweigh the potential harm to French agriculture and food sovereignty. Paris’ stance has been accompanied by growing political unrest at home, where farmers’ protests have been constant.
The battle in the streets has been as intense as in the corridors of Brussels. Groups of farmers have taken to the roads in various regions of Europe to voice their rejection of the agreement. In France, tractors blocked key routes and even urban access points, with protests reaching areas around Paris and other strategic parts of the road network.
These mobilizations aim to pressure authorities to reconsider ratification of the treaty or, at the very least, to demand stronger guarantees and protection mechanisms for local producers.
In Belgium and other countries, protests have also led to traffic disruptions, roadblocks, and rallies outside public buildings, reflecting widespread discontent among agricultural sectors that fear they will be unable to compete with imports from South America, where production costs are different and agricultural regulations are less stringent.
These actions have underscored a growing sense of abandonment among European farmers, who believe that EU trade policies do not always reflect their interests or the challenges they face in a globalized market.
Economy, politics, and internal division
Countries that have supported the agreement, such as Germany, Spain, and Italy, see it as an opportunity to open doors for key exports and to establish strategic alliances with emerging economies. Spain, for example, has highlighted the potential to strengthen the presence of European products in South American markets, while Italy, initially reluctant, ultimately decided to lend its support after additional negotiations and assurances on certain agricultural issues.
However, approval of the pact has triggered internal political tensions, particularly in France, where the opposition has sought to capitalize on rural discontent to weaken the government. Some parties have introduced motions of no confidence prompted by the handling of the agreement, reflecting how a trade treaty can influence broader national political dynamics.
Meanwhile, environmental organizations have voiced reservations about the agreement’s environmental impact, particularly with regard to deforestation in the Amazon and agricultural production standards. These criticisms broaden the discussion beyond agriculture, placing it at the center of debates on sustainability and global responsibility.
The path toward final ratification in the European Parliament still presents challenges. The Commission president and other pro-agreement leaders will need to convince lawmakers that the benefits outweigh the risks and that the necessary safeguards will be implemented to protect the most vulnerable sectors. Only then can a new chapter in trade relations between two economic blocs of enormous global weight begin.
Today’s provisional green light not only marks progress in a historic negotiation but also highlights the internal tensions within a European Union striving to balance trade openness with the protection of its industries and social cohesion.
Related: European Parliament Halts Mercosur Deal Pending Court Ruling.