The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement was signed on January 17, 2026, in Asunción, Paraguay, but faces strong opposition from France's right-wing. Les Républicains aim to delay its entry into force to safeguard national agriculture. Protests occurred in Strasbourg, with a resolution to refer the matter to the EU Court of Justice upcoming.
The trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) was signed on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Asunción, Paraguay. This free trade deal unites France's right-wing against it, particularly Les Républicains (LR), who see it as a threat to the future of French agriculture.
Despite the signing, opponents remain determined. French agricultural unions, backed by the FNSEA, protested on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in Strasbourg, home to the European Parliament. They hope to delay the agreement's entry into force. The next day, on Wednesday, January 21, MEPs are set to vote on a resolution to refer the deal to the EU Court of Justice to check its compatibility with EU treaties. A majority could halt the ratification process pending the Court's opinion.
The five LR MEPs have been pushing this effort from the start. They were joined at the protest by about 30 national LR parliamentarians, led by Senate and deputy group leaders Mathieu Darnaud and Laurent Wauquiez. “We were the only French delegation present at this level of importance,” notes the deputy from Haute-Loire. “Our goal is clear: to secure the referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union tomorrow!” This move aims to keep pressure on the European Parliament and extend the fight against the agreement.