French Farmers Block Paris Streets in Protest Against Mercosur Deal

Hundreds of French farmers defied a government ban on Thursday, bringing parts of Paris to a standstill to protest the upcoming EU-Mercosur trade agreement. Tractor convoys blocked major roads and key landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, as tensions over agricultural policy and trade surged.

By 8 a.m. local time, around 100 tractors had converged on symbolic locations across the capital, according to the Interior Ministry. Protesters drove past police checkpoints along the Champs-Élysées and surrounding the Arc de Triomphe, while law enforcement sought to contain the disruption.

Highways leading into Paris were also blocked, including the A13 from the western suburbs and Normandy, causing traffic jams stretching up to 150 kilometres, the Transport Ministry said.

“We are between resentment and despair. We feel abandoned, with Mercosur being an example,” said Stephane Pelletier, senior member of the right-wing Coordination Rurale farmers’ union.

French farmers block Paris streets protesting Mercosur trade deal

Defying the Ban

The protests come despite a prefectural ban issued Wednesday that prohibited tractors from entering sensitive areas of the city. Farmers are rallying against the Mercosur free trade deal with four South American nations, fearing it will flood Europe with cheap imports and undermine domestic agriculture.

Protesters also expressed anger over the government’s response to a cattle disease outbreak, with calls to end cow culling in favor of vaccination programs.

Government spokesperson Maud Brégeon told FranceInfo that “what is happening this morning is illegal,” while Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot stressed that police were avoiding confrontation, saying, “Farmers are not our enemies.”

Pressure Ahead of Mercosur Vote

The demonstrations come a day before EU member states are expected to vote on the trade accord. France has historically opposed the deal, and President Emmanuel Macron’s final stance remains unclear despite last-minute concessions, including €45 billion in EU funding for farmers and cuts on some fertilizer import duties.

Germany and Spain have backed the agreement, and Italy is reportedly close to support, potentially giving the EU enough votes to approve the deal even without France.

“This treaty is still not acceptable,” Brégeon said, declining to reveal Macron’s position. Conservative politician Bruno Retailleau warned that presidential support for Mercosur could risk a government censure.

Farmers vow to continue voicing their opposition to both the trade deal and the government’s handling of livestock disease.