French farmers rallied in Paris with 350 tractors against the Mercosur deal, incomes, and regulations. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu responded with an emergency agricultural plan. Meanwhile, South American farmers warmly welcome the treaty.
Less than a week after an initial rally, French farmers repeated their action on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, in Paris. A convoy of 350 tractors from Île-de-France and neighboring regions proceeded from Porte Dauphine along the Champs-Élysées to the Assemblée Nationale in the dark of night. The protest targets opposition to the EU-Mercosur free-trade agreement, low incomes, and European regulations.
The demonstration quickly yielded results. Following a meeting at Matignon with FNSEA leaders in the early afternoon, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced measures. “I have asked the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, to prepare an emergency agricultural law for the Salon de l’Agriculture around several priorities: water, predation, production means,” he stated on X, noting that a bill will be voted on before summer. A moratorium on certain regulations was also mentioned.
This agreement, negotiated for over 25 years, faces resolute opposition from European farmers. Its signature is expected on Saturday, January 18, 2026. In contrast, farmers in Mercosur countries—Argentina, Brazil, and partners—welcome it enthusiastically. Despite ideological tensions between Argentina's liberal Javier Milei and Brazil's socialist Lula, the treaty offers economic convergence for these South American nations.
This transatlantic divide highlights the stakes of international trade for agriculture, with market-opening opportunities for some and fears of unfair competition for others.
